Planned Special Events
Various traffic incident management scenes - heavy traffic after accident, traffic planning, police car blocking road, overturned car on bridge, detour, rescue workers.
Office of Operations 21st Century Operations using 21st Century Technologies

Planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™

Blue map of the continental United States with State borders shows soccer ball icons to reflect the 11 US cities hosting the 2024 FIFA World Cup.
Source: FHWA.
Blue map of the continental United States with State borders shows soccer ball icons to reflect the 11 US cities hosting the 2024 FIFA World Cup. Above and below the map are the soccer icons with the two Canadian and three Mexican host city names. The US host cities include: 1. Atlanta, Georgia 2. Foxborough, Massachusetts 3. Arlington, Texas 4. Houston, Texas 5. Kansas City, Missouri 6. Inglewood, California 7. Miami Gardens, Miami 8. East Rutherford, New Jersey 9. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 10. Santa Clara, California 11. Seattle, Washington The Canada host cities are Toronto and Vancouver, and the Mexico host cities are Guadalupe, Mexico City, and Zapopan.

From June 11 through July 19, 2026, a total of 16 venues will host 104 games across the United States, Canada, and Mexico as a part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Transportation agencies began the event mobility planning well in advance to be considered a city candidate. Furthermore, by 2025, all host cities will have refined their mobility plans, and by January 2026, they will have finalized their plans for the June 11, 2026, start of the event.

Along with the traditional traffic control and management across airports, transit, and roadways; host cities are customizing their approach for the mobility needs of visitors, workers, volunteers, and media, including those with accessible transportation needs. Event cities are also pursuing infrastructure improvements that align with FIFA requirements and future regional needs (e.g., a transit hub).

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Planned Special Events program supports the readying efforts among State, regional, and local transportation agencies as they work with the broader stakeholders to deliver a safe, reliable, sustainable, and welcoming travel experience during games that are estimated to attract approximately 6 million visitors. Specific efforts underway to support host regions include the following:

  • Engagement and resource sharing at monthly informal meetings among host venues.
  • Upcoming webinars featuring host region readying efforts.
  • Host region peer exchanges in 2025 to facilitate sharing of good practices and discussion to address potential challenges.
  • Development of a resource repository for host regions.

FIFA World CupTM Transportation Planning Resources

  Last modified: December 6, 2024