A World Cup measured in continents

The first 48-team men’s World Cup was also the most geographically dispersed. From Vancouver to Mexico City and New York New Jersey, the host network stretched across three countries, three main time-zone bands and thousands of kilometres.

FIFA concentrated most matches in the United States, but structured the schedule around western, central and eastern zones. That reduced some cross-continent movement without eliminating the central challenge for supporters: following a team could still mean changing cities, countries and time zones.

One country carried three quarters of the schedule

United States venues staged 78 matches, or 75 per cent of the tournament. Canada and Mexico hosted 13 each. That imbalance followed the venue count: 11 host cities were in the United States, compared with three in Mexico and two in Canada.

Dallas was the busiest node

Dallas hosted nine matches, the most of any city. Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York New Jersey each hosted eight. At the other end, Guadalajara and Monterrey hosted four apiece.

The distribution mattered beyond stadium gates. Every added host meant another airport, local transport network and accommodation market operating as part of a single tournament system.

The schedule regionalized—but did not shrink—the continent

FIFA grouped most matches into western, central and eastern zones to reduce travel and protect rest time. That was a practical response to a host footprint unlike any previous World Cup. Even so, a supporter tracking a team through successive rounds could face long flights and border crossings.

The 2026 World Cup was not simply staged in North America. It was organized around North America’s scale—and every route through the bracket was also a route across the continent.