New Jersey to host 2026 World Cup final, Mexico gets opener

GIANTS: Republic of Ireland's Ray Houghton scores the winner against Italy at The Giants Stadium, New Jersey, USA. Picture credit: David Maher, Sportsfile.

The 2026 World Cup final will be held in New Jersey at the home of the National Football League's New York Giants and New York Jets, world soccer's governing body FIFA announced on Sunday, along with the entire schedule for the global soccer showcase.

The 48-team World Cup, which will conclude on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.