LOS ANGELES 
Los Angeles, a major Southern 
Californian city is found on the Pacific 
Coast of the USA and is known as 
one of the most diverse cities also for 
its iconic Hollywood neighbourhood 
the heart of western entertainment. 
This World Cup won’t be the first Los 
Angeles has seen as it also hosted 
matches during the 1994 World 
Cup. Now in 2026 the city is set to 
host eight matches including the 
tournament opener at the Los Angeles 
Stadium with 70,240 seats. 
The city with more cars than people, 
has loads of cultural importance 
with more museums than any other 
U.S cities and is home to the largest 
park in the U.S meaning that those 
travelling to watch their country play 
football won’t struggle for activities 
to do between the intense footballing 
action. 
Matthew Fenwick, Year 11
 GUADALUPE 
In Guadalupe, the World Cup will also use Estadio BBVA, a modern stadium that 
looks completely different from the historic Azteca. It’s known for its sleek, silver‑glass 
exterior and the incredible view of the Cerro de la Silla mountain right behind it, 
which makes it one of the most scenic stadiums in the world. With space for 
around 53,000 fans, it’s slightly smaller but feels very high‑tech, with bright LED 
lighting, a steep seating design that brings fans closer to the pitch, and top‑level 
sound systems that make the atmosphere electric. It will host several group‑stage 
matches and is seen as a symbol of Mexico’s newer football culture  –  modern, 
stylish, and built for fast‑paced games. Together, both stadiums show how 
Mexico is mixing its football history with its future for the 2026 World Cup
Ekamjeet Singh, Year 9
 NEW YORK 
The 2026 World Cup final will be played 
at the MetLife stadium, a massive sports 
ground built in the New Jersey Meadow 
lands. Just for this historic tournament, 
the stadium has been given a new 
corporate name. It will now be referred to 
as the New York New Jersey stadium. 
This area has a beautiful history. 
Decades ago, these marshlands were 
just empty wetlands with nothing 
about them. However, in 1976 when 
the original stadium opened, turning 
a swamp into a famous sports centre. 
Today the stadium is just 7 miles from 
the Manhattan skyline. Just 7! This 
makes it a special place between New 
York and New Jersey.
The best part about all of this is the local 
community. The workers that sell you 
food, the security guards, the bus drivers, 
the ticket officers, and many more live 
nearby. The community is what brings 
every single one of us together, making 
the world Cup so spectacular. Overall, the 
23rd World Cup final will be a great watch 
in a stadium worthy of hosting such a 
massive game. When 82,500 fans that 
have travelled from all around the globe fill 
up the stadium, everyone Unites to watch 
the biggest sports event ever. The special 
thing about the World Cup, is putting 
local communities worldwide, so people 
can experience different cultures. The 
World Cup 2026 will be amazing. 
Eshan Mahal, Year 9
 GUADALAJARA 
Guadalajara is one of Mexico’s most 
important and culturally rich cities. Located 
in the western part of the country, it is the 
capital of the state of Jalisco and is often 
referred to as the cultural heart of Mexico. 
Known for its deep history, beautiful 
landscapes, and welcoming people, 
Guadalajara plays a major role in shaping 
Mexican identity.
Geographically, Guadalajara is located 
on a high plateau in western Mexico, 
about 1,500 metres above sea level. 
This gives the city a mild and pleasant 
climate for much of the year, with warm 
days and cooler evenings. Unlike coastal 
cities, Guadalajara is surrounded by 
valleys, hills, and mountains, which have 
influenced how the city developed. Nearby 
natural features include Lake Chapala, 
Mexico’s largest freshwater lake, which 
provides water, tourism, and economic 
opportunities for the region.
The people of Guadalajara are known for 
their strong sense of tradition, community, 
and pride in their heritage. The city is 
famous as the birthplace of mariachi 
music, which remains an important part of 
celebrations, festivals, and national identity. 
Traditional clothing, dance, and food such 
as birria and tortas ahogadas reflect the 
city’s cultural richness. At the same time, 
Guadalajara is also a modern city with 
universities, technology companies, and a 
growing creative scene.
 SEATTLE 
Seattle, Washington is a city that 
has a stunning view of the Olympic 
Mountains and on the other side is 
surrounded by sandy beaches. They 
are known for their coffee, music 
and bad weather. But there is one 
thing that makes it feel perfect for 
this upcoming World Cup. There is 
a strong football culture. The city 
comes alive for the Seattle Sounders. 
Competing for trophies, the fans’ 
passion has no end. “The Emerald 
City” will no doubt be ready to host 
this year’s World Cup. And of course, 
the six games to be played in Seattle 
will be held in Lumen Field, the home 
of the Seattle Sounders. 
Mohammed Zaman, Year 11
 MEXICO CITY 
The Mexico City stadium, Estadio Azteca, 
is one of the most legendary football 
stadiums ever built, and it will play a 
massive role in the 2026 World Cup. It 
can hold over 80,000 fans, and the noise 
inside is known to echo around the whole 
arena, making every match feel intense 
and unforgettable. It’s also the first stadium 
in history to host three World Cup opening 
matches, which shows how important it is 
to world football. The stadium has a deep 
history too  –  it’s where Pelé lifted the 
World Cup in 1970 and where Maradona 
scored his famous “Hand of God” goal in 
1986. For 2026, it’s being upgraded with 
better seating, improved technology, and 
modern facilities so it can handle huge 
crowds and global attention once again.
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