Hard Rock Stadium to host seven 2026 World Cup games

MIAMI — South Florida, get ready to experience the equivalent of seven Super Bowls in the span of a month.

The 2026 World Cup schedule was announced on Sunday afternoon, and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens was selected to host seven matches: Group Stage matches June 15, 22, 24, 27; a Round of 32 match July 3, a Quarterfinal July 11 and the Bronze Medal Game July 18.

“Very exciting times,” said Miami Host Committee co-chair Rodney Barreto.

“We’re blessed because Hard Rock Stadium, chairman Tom Garfinkel, he and his crew know how to do big events. They handle the stadium and we have nothing to worry about. We’ll do some great activations throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach. This is what we do best, right? We’ve hosted 11 Super Bowls. They’re coming to a community that is not the hottest city in America, it’s the hottest city in the world.”

The arrival of soccer icons David Beckham and Lionel Messi to Inter Miami “has amplified the noise in Miami,” Barreto said. “Everybody wants to be here.”

Asked if Beckham and/or Messi have committed to helping the Miami host committee in the buildup to the tournament, Barreto would not comment, but he confirmed Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas will be involved.

Barretto said the area is World Cup-friendly with three international airports, 130,000 hotel rooms, beaches and plenty of dining and entertainment options. FIFA, the world soccer governing body, opened a headquarters office in Coral Gables last year and CONCACAF, the soccer governing body for North and Central America and the Caribbean, has its home base in downtown Miami.

“That just shows you their commitment to the region and our city, that FIFA and CONCACAF opened offices here,” Barreto said. “It’s going to be easy for us as next door neighbors to just go over and see them, talk to them and put this thing together. It’s amazing. Their decision makers are right here in Miami.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino told the Miami Herald after the announcement: “Miami will be a crucial, crucial, crucial city for 2026. We are here. We organize everything from here. We feel very good here. It’s a wonderful city, very international city able to host several games, amongst which is the Bronze medal game, a very important game. It’s something we are happy and proud of for the city of Miami, the people of Miami, for all those who love soccer, or futbol, in Miami, and all those of us who are feeling like citizens of Miami.”

The 48-team tournament is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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