FIFA President Gianni Infantino Compares 2026 World Cup to 104 Super Bowls

Massive Scope of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made headlines by comparing the scale of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup to hosting "104 Super Bowls"—a reference to the unprecedented number of matches the tournament will feature. Scheduled to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the 2026 event will be the largest World Cup in history, with 104 matches involving 48 teams.

Why the 2026 World Cup Is Historic

• First-ever World Cup with 48 teams
• Hosted across three countries: USA, Canada, and Mexico
• Expanded format aiming to enhance global participation
• 104 total matches—a major jump from the 64 matches featured in past tournaments

Infantino emphasized the logistical and entertainment magnitude of the event, stating, “It’s like hosting 104 Super Bowls in terms of attention, passion, and global impact.”

Venues and Cities to Expect

The tournament will be played in 16 cities, with key venues in major U.S. cities such as:

• New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
• Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)
• Dallas (AT&T Stadium)
• Miami
• Atlanta

The wide array of locations underscores the tournament's ambition to bring the world’s most-watched sporting event to fans across North America.

Economic and Cultural Impact

According to FIFA, the 2026 World Cup could generate tens of billions in economic impact across host regions. Infantino added that this tournament could be the biggest sporting and social event ever organized, drawing fans from every continent and further growing soccer’s influence in North America.

What Fans Can Look Forward To

With the tournament still a year away, preparations are in full swing. Fans can expect:

• World-class stadiums and facilities
• Diverse cultural experiences across host cities
• High-level competition from an expanded field of teams

As Infantino put it, “We want to make this the best World Cup ever. And with 104 games, we’ll have 104 opportunities to do it.”