The United States has played a central role in the modern history of the FIFA World Cup since hosting the landmark 1994 edition, which catalyzed the growth of professional football and the establishment of Major League Soccer (MLS). As the primary host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. provided the core infrastructure for the expanded 48-team competition across 11 world-class venues—including iconic stadiums such as MetLife Stadium (NY/NJ), SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles), AT&T Stadium (Dallas), and Hard Rock Stadium (Miami). This nationwide network of state-of-the-art facilities successfully managed the majority of the tournament’s 104 matches, establishing a permanent operational and logistical benchmark for future global sporting events across North America.