Philly Named Host City for 6 2026 World Cup Games At Lincoln Financial Field
Former Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney posed with delegates from FIFA and United States Soccer at Lincoln Financial Field on September 22, 2021. Philadelphia is a candidate city to host the 2026 World Cup. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
The Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup will run through Philadelphia, including a Round of 16 match on July 4, 2026, when Philadelphia will be the centerpiece of the 250th Anniversary celebration of the United States. There will be a total of 6 matches at Lincoln Financial Field, and Philly soccer fans should not wait to get tickets, because they will sell out.
The matches will be the following:
- June 14, 2026: First up is the Côte d’Ivoire national football team vs. the Ecuador national football team (Group E). Kick-off at 7 p.m.
- June 19, 2026: A headline match: Brazil national football team vs. Haiti national football team (Group C). Brazil on American soil, so this will be an insane matchup at 9 p.m. local time.
- June 22, 2026: France national football team will face the winner of a pre-tournament playoff (likely from Iraq, Bolivia, or Suriname) as part of Group I. Kick-off at 5 p.m.
- June 25, 2026: Curaçao national football team vs. Côte d’Ivoire (Group E), 4 p.m. Something tells me that this match might surprise a few.
- June 27, 2026: The last group-stage match in Philly — Croatia national football team vs. Ghana national football team (Group L), at 5 p.m.
- July 4, 2026: A knockout-round game (Round of 16). We won’t know the match as this is an elimination game.
Having six games in Philly means world-class soccer in our city, and we get to host an international audience and show the passion that exists for soccer in Philly. Brazil and France matches give the matches a marquee appeal, hosting two global heavyweights walking onto our pitch. Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Curaçao, Haiti, Croatia, Ghana — underdogs, rising nations, teams full of unpredictability. Those matchups will definitely bring real drama. A July 4 knockout game gives local fans a chance at a festival-day atmosphere with soccer and fireworks.
You might want to plan early. Tickets will likely be hot. Public transit, crowd management, and travel logistics will need work, but Philly knows how to throw big events, so all of this will be seamless. Come with an open mind. Some games might surprise you, some underdogs might shine. Expect a carnival of fans from around the world bringing their passion for the beautiful game.
Philadelphia Soccer 2026 did a great job of getting these matches here. Now all we have to do is wait.
Steve Hamilton
Steve may have been born in California, but don’t let that fool you. After dating a local woman and clashing with her and her family over sports for decades, he has an affinity for Philly sports. Balancing love for Philly and Bay Area sports teams may seem impossible, we can all agree that the Cowboys are the true evil.
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