Global Institute of Sport (GIS) are delighted to announce that two of our global hubs will host matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Toronto’s BMO Field will both play an integral part in the 2026 edition of the tournament, which is set to be the first ever played across three countries – the USA, Canada and Mexico.
BMO Field, where UCFB and GIS students can immerse themselves in the industry through our annual Global Sports Summits, is increasing its capacity by an astonishing 50% in order to meet FIFA requirements for the event, moving from a 30,000 audience maximum to 45,000.
While the number of games each stadium hosts is yet to be determined, as is the venue of the all-important World Cup final, FIFA have selected 16 of the 22 cities initially proposed to help orchestrate the most popular sporting event in the world.
GIS’ remaining two North American stadiums, located in Miami and New York, will also be host cities, as our students will have a particularly inspiring backdrop when visiting these iconic sporting locations.
Sharona Friedman, GIS President, said: “I am delighted that our global hubs will help contribute to what’s sure to be one of the most pioneering, and exciting, World Cups yet. I am particularly pleased for all our students, whose learning experience will only be elevated by these close connections to the heart of global sport.”
The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature a 48-team expanded format, which has increased from the standard 38 countries involved since 1998, and will see more games, more host cities and more countries than ever before.
In the words of Gianni Infantino, the FIFA President, “The world doesn't realize what will happen here in 2026." We can’t wait.
