With just over three years remaining, the countdown to the largest football tournament in the world officially began on Wednesday evening with the introduction of the visual identity for the FIFA World Cup North America 2026.
FIFA, in collaboration with broadcasters Fox Sports and Telemundo Deportes, unveiled the logo for the 2026 World Cup on May 17th, during a brand launch event at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.
This city is one of the 16 locations across Canada, the United States, and Mexico that will serve as hosts for the tournament. The logo showcases bold stacked numerals “2” and “6,” with the FIFA World Cup trophy and the FIFA wordmark placed above them.
The logo predominantly features white numerals against a black background, but it can be adapted to various background colors.
A unique brand for each host city
During the launch event, FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed his excitement, stating, “[This tournament] will be beyond imagination. It will turn these three countries upside down and back again.”
In addition to the main logo, each host city will have its own unique brand that reflects its renowned culture and heritage. FIFA emphasizes that these local brands will allow millions of international fans to immerse themselves in the diverse experiences of each city when the tournament begins in 2026.
Each host city will unveil its distinctive local logo on May 18th during individual events. Romy Gai, FIFA’s chief business officer, explained, “The Official Brand introduces fans to the tournament’s new emblem, typeface, and striking color palette, three exciting elements that will bring this tournament to life in the coming months and years.”
The integration opportunity
Gai further emphasized that the brand goes beyond aesthetics, providing opportunities for local communities and partners to integrate their own narratives.
Whether it’s a local football fan, a global superstar, or a famous location, the brand aims to highlight distinct aspects and promote the inclusive and diverse nature of the first FIFA World Cup featuring 48 teams.
The biggest single-sport event ever
With an expanded field of 48 teams, a new 32-team knockout phase, and a total of 104 matches, FIFA anticipates that the 2026 World Cup will become the “biggest single-sport event ever.”
The tournament is scheduled to kick off in June 2026 and culminate with the final match on July 19, 2026, which is likely to take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The 2026 World Cup will mark the third time that North America has hosted the tournament. Mexico previously hosted the event in 1970 and 1986, while the United States hosted in 1994.