Timezone Conversion Archives - FIFA World Cup 2026™

The World Cup 2026 final MetLife Stadium July 19 3pm EDT full details are now set in stone. This is a huge moment for soccer in North America. The 23rd FIFA World Cup final kicks off at 3:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The venue? MetLife Stadium, located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey—just a short hop from New York City. Whether you're curious about how the stadium got picked or what the halftime show will look like, here's everything you need to know. World Cup 2026 final MetLife Stadium July 19 3pm EDT full details The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will take place on Sunday, July 19, at 3:00 PM EDT at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This highly anticipated championship match crowns the expanded 48-team tournament, broadcasting live on FOX and featuring the historic addition of a halftime show performance. Background and Official Announcement FIFA first penciled in the date for the final back in March 2023. But the host venue stayed a mystery until early 2024. A lot of insiders thought Dallas would get it. Then MetLife Stadium surprised everyone. It beat out heavy hitters like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and AT&T Stadium in Texas to land the championship match. Venue: MetLife Stadium MetLife Stadium usually holds 82,500 people. For the World Cup, that number drops a bit. FIFA needs wider fields, so crews are removing 1,740 seats from the corners to make the pitch bigger. Also, because of FIFA's strict sponsorship rules, all MetLife branding gets covered up. The stadium will be called "New York New Jersey Stadium" during the tournament. This place has hosted big events before. Super Bowl XLVIII. The 2016 Copa América Centenario final. And now, seven more matches during the 2026 World Cup on top of the final. Host Selection Process and Competition The United 2026 bid—a joint effort by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada—won hosting rights back in 2018. From there, it was a complicated game of chess. SoFi Stadium's field was too narrow. Dallas had 90,000 seats but internal revenue fights held it back. MetLife pushed ahead with renovation plans in early 2024. That sealed the deal for New Jersey. Transportation and Transit Costs Getting there requires some planning. NJ Transit will run the Meadowlands Rail Line just for the game. A new $35 million busway is also ready. Fans coming from New York Penn Station transfer at Secaucus Junction. Early reports said round-trip train fares would hit $150. Then new sponsorships cut that to $105. Still steep, but better. Entertainment and Halftime Show Big change here. For the first time ever, the World Cup final will have a halftime show—kind of like the Super Bowl. Global Citizen is co-producing it. Coldplay helped pick the talent. The lineup? Madonna, Shakira, and BTS. The performance runs 11 to 15 minutes. But it's not just about music. The show aims to raise $100 million for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. Match Details and Rules When the whistle blows, standard FIFA knockout rules apply. If the game is tied after 90 minutes, we get 30 minutes of extra time. Still tied? Then a penalty shootout. Coaches can make five substitutions during regular play. One more in extra time. And there's a special concussion sub allowed, which lets the other team also make an extra change. Frequently Asked Questions What time does the World Cup 2026 final start? 3:00 PM EDT on July 19, 2026. Where is the World Cup 2026 final being played? MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Why is MetLife Stadium called “New York New Jersey Stadium” for the World Cup? FIFA requires all commercial branding to be removed or covered during the tournament. Will there be a halftime show at the 2026 World Cup final? Yes. First time ever. Madonna, Shakira, and BTS headline. How much will it cost to take the train to the final? Round-trip train fares are $105. Bus transport is $80. How many seats will be removed from MetLife Stadium for the World Cup? 1,740 seats, all from the corners, to meet FIFA's field width rules. What happens if the final is tied after 90 minutes? 30 minutes of extra time. If still tied, a penalty shootout decides the winner. How many substitutions are allowed in the final? Five during regulation, one more in extra time, plus one possible concussion sub. Which other stadiums were considered to host the final? SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and AT&T Stadium in Arlington were the main contenders. Who is performing at the halftime show? Madonna, Shakira, and BTS. The World Cup 2026 final MetLife Stadium July 19 3pm EDT full details show this is more than a soccer match. It's a full cultural event. Renovations, a halftime concert, every detail carefully planned. Whether you're in the stands or watching from home, July 19 will be a day to remember.