World Cup Stadiums
The FIFA world cup is truly a worldwide event. All five major continents have put on at least one World Cup. The tournament has been hosted in 17 different countries, the latest in Qatar 2022.
A 1950 World Cup match at the Estádio do MaracanãEach tournament makes use of various stadiums around the host country, from the first World Cup in Uruguay, where the entire tournament took place in three stadiums within Montevideo, to 2022 where new state-of-the-art stadiums were built at eight venues, four of these in the country's capital Doha. The most venues used was twenty at the 2002 World Cup held in Japan and South Korea.
Stadiums of the FIFA World Cup
| Year | Host | Final | No. of Venues |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | United States, Mexico, Canada | 16 Stadiums | |
| 2022 | Qatar | Lusail Stadium | 8 stadiums |
| 2018 | Russia | Luzhniki Stadium | 12 stadiums |
| 2014 | Brazil | Maracanã Stadium | 12 stadiums |
| 2010 | South Africa | Soccer City | 10 stadiums |
| 2006 | Germany | Olympiastadion | 12 stadiums |
| 2002 | Japan & South Korea | Yokohama International Stadium | 20 |
| 1998 | France | Stade de France | 10 |
| 1994 | United States | Rose Bowl | 9 |
| 1990 | Italy | Stadio Olimpico | 12 |
| 1986 | Mexico | Estadio Azteca | 12 |
| 1982 | Spain | Estadio Santiago | 17 |
| 1978 | Argentina | El Monumental | 6 |
| 1974 | West Germany | Olympiastadion | 9 |
| 1970 | Mexico | Estadio Azteca | 5 |
| 1966 | England | Wembley Stadium | 8 |
| 1962 | Chile | Estadio Nacional de Chile | 4 |
| 1958 | Sweden | Rasunda Fotbollstadion | 12 |
| 1954 | Switzerland | Wankdorfstadion | 6 |
| 1950 | Brazil | Maracanã Stadium | 6 |
| 1948 | canceled | — | — |
| 1942 | canceled | — | — |
| 1938 | France | Stade Olympique de Colombes | 10 |
| 1934 | Italy | Stadio Nazionale | 8 |
| 1930 | Uruguay | Estadio Centenario | 3 |
Trivia
- At the first World Cup in Uruguay, the entire tournament took place in three stadiums within Montevideo; Central Park, Pocitos Stadium and Estadio Centenario, which staged the final between the hosts and Argentina.
- The most famous of all World Cup stadiums is Maracanã stadium in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The stadium had a record paid attendance at the final game at the 1950 FIFA World Cup of 199,854. The stadium was upgraded and again used for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
- Only two stadiums to have hosted the final match in two different World Cups. Estadio Azteca, in Mexico City hosted the final in 1970 and 1986. It is also likely to host the opening game in 2026. The other is the Maracanã in Brazil, which hosted the finals in 1950 and 2014.
- Two stadiums to have hosted the FIFA World Cup finals for both men and women - the Rose Bowl hosted the men's final in 1994 and the women's final in 1999. (The other stadium is the Råsunda Stadium in Sweden, which hosted the men's final in 1958 and the women's final in 1995)
- At USA 1994, the Pontiac Silverdome was the venue of the first-ever indoor game in World Cup finals history.
- The stadium which has hosted the most matches is Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, 19 (10 matches in 1970 and 9 matches in 1986)
- The most venues used was 20 at the 2002 World Cup in Japan & South Korea.
- A few stadiums have hosted Olympic Games events as well as World Cup matches. The Maracanã stadium in Rio De Janeiro (World Cup 1950, 2014, Olympics 2016), Stade Colombes in Paris (World Cup 1938, Olympic 1924).
Related Pages
- FIFA World Cup History
- Details of each host city
- History of the FIFA World Cup Trophy
- Match Ball History
- A History of Soccer
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