Returning as one of the host venues for the 2026 tournament, Estadio Azteca will make history once again by becoming the first stadium to host matches across three separate men's Fifa World Cups.
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With the 2026 Fifa World Cup in full swing after kicking off in Mexico on Thursday night, each match will have its own storyline with different players, tactics and fan culture.
But one thing that every one of the record 104 matches will have is that it will take place at a stadium in either America, Canada or Mexico.
With the highest level of football being played in Europe, with Manchester United’s Old Trafford and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium being the home stadiums of Real Madrid CF, there is still much unknown about many of the stadiums in North America.
With this in mind, we have found four Fifa World Cup stadiums that deserve a place on every football lover's travel bucket list - ones that stand out not just as match locations but as destinations in their own right.
No stadium captures the soul of the World Cup quite like Estadio Azteca.
Opened in 1966, the Mexico City venue remains the only stadium in history to host two Fifa World Cup finals - one in 1970 and the other in 1986.
It was here that the legendary Pelé lifted his third World Cup trophy after Brazil defeated Italy 4-1 in 1970.
Sixteen years later, the stadium witnessed another defining football chapter when Diego Maradona scored both the infamous "Hand of God" goal and the sublime "Goal of the Century" against England during the quarter-finals.
Returning as one of the host venues for the 2026 tournament, Estadio Azteca will make history once again by becoming the first stadium to host matches across three separate men's Fifa World Cups.
In stark contrast to Azteca's old-world football magic stands SoFi Stadium, a state-of-the-art masterpiece that opened in 2020.
Home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, the venue has quickly established itself as one of the most technologically advanced sporting arenas on the planet.
Its striking architectural design, massive canopy roof and immersive 360-degree video board create an experience unlike any other.
Located just minutes from Hollywood and some of Los Angeles' most famous attractions, it perfectly encapsulates the glamour and innovation associated with the City of Angels.
For travelling supporters, a match here offers more than football; it is an opportunity to experience one of the world's premier entertainment capitals.
Situated just outside New York City, MetLife Stadium is expected to play a starring role during the 2026 Fifa World Cup, including hosting the tournament final.
With a capacity exceeding 80,000 spectators, the stadium regularly stages some of the biggest sporting and entertainment events in the United States.
In addition, its proximity to Manhattan means visitors can pair matchday excitement with iconic attractions such as Times Square, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty.
For many fans, attending a World Cup final is the ultimate sporting pilgrimage.
BC Place Stadium in Canada.
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Located in the heart of Vancouver, this stadium boasts a retractable roof and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and waterfront.
It has previously hosted major international events, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics and matches during the 2015 Fifa Women's World Cup.
Beyond the football itself, Vancouver's reputation for natural beauty, multicultural cuisine and laid-back atmosphere makes BC Place one of the tournament's most appealing travel destinations.
It is a reminder that World Cups are about more than ninety minutes on the pitch; they are also about discovering the spirit of the cities that host them.
Every World Cup leaves behind unforgettable images: jubilant celebrations, heartbreaking defeats and moments of individual brilliance that transcend generations.
Yet the venues themselves often become characters in those stories.
Whether it is retracing Maradona's footsteps at Estadio Azteca, marvelling at SoFi Stadium's cutting-edge design, soaking up the electric atmosphere of a final at MetLife or embracing Vancouver's charm at BC Place, these stadiums offer football fans the priceless chance to become part of the game's ongoing history.
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