FIFA will rename NFL stadiums with the least creative names for the 2026 World Cup

We are just weeks away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. But we’re already seeing the results of a grueling bidding process that cities and NFL owners were willing to go through to host these World Cup games.

That included temporarily changing stadium names.

Advertisement

While we already knew that NFL owners agreed to install natural grass playing surfaces in time for 2026, they will also adhere to a FIFA policy on stadium branding. Basically, FIFA will not allow non-FIFA sponsors to display their branding during matches. And in the case of the United States, where corporate naming rights to stadiums are the norm, the venues we know will be named completely differently for the World Cup.

It’s so serious that Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium had to reach an agreement with FIFA to keep the Mercedes logo on its roof.

But let me tell you: FIFA did. No I thought a lot about these temporary names.

Here’s a look at what the 11 World Cup venues in the United States will be called this summer.

Advertisement

Atlanta Stadium

we know it as Mercedes-Benz Stadiumbut FIFA will have Arthur Blank cover as much of the Benz brand as possible. The home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United will host one semifinal match and eight total matches at the World Cup.

Boston Stadium

You’ll notice that FIFA doesn’t exactly care about the actual location of the stadium. because with Gillette Stadiumwill get the Boston Stadium title despite being located 30 miles from Boston in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The stadium will host seven matches in total, including the round of 32 and quarter-finals.

Dallas Stadium

Honestly, if they are going to remove the AT&T Stadium brand, FIFA should have just called it Jerry World. At least that would have been kind of fun. Instead, FIFA calls a stadium in Arlington “Dallas Stadium” because, of course, it is. Surprisingly, the stadium lost the World Cup final, but will still host a tournament-high nine matches, including a semi-final.

Advertisement

Houston Stadium

I can give FIFA a pass on this one because NRG Stadium (coming soon Reliant Stadium) is not the most well-known stadium name. However, it is still nonsense that FIFA absolutely CANNOT allow a Houston-based energy company to have exposure to a global audience. The Houston stadium will host seven games in total, two of which will be in the knockout phase.

Kansas City Stadium

This change is somewhat strange. While the Chiefs’ “official” name for the stadium is GEHA Field at Arrowhead StadiumFIFA could have easily removed the “GEHA Field” part. He probably thought the name would confuse a non-American audience, but Arrowhead Stadium would not have violated FIFA’s branding rule. Kansas City will host six games in total, including a quarterfinal game.

Advertisement

Los Angeles Stadium

After some uncertainty about whether Sofia Stadium would still host the World Cup, FIFA and Stan Kroenke resolved their problems. Despite being located in Inglewood, the stadium will adopt the Los Angeles name for the tournament. The home of the Rams and Chargers will host eight games in total: two in the round of 32 and one in the quarterfinals. The United States will also play two group stage games there (against Paraguay and Türkiye).

Miami Stadium

Hard Rock Stadium In fact, we’ll see those banners above the stands come down (or cover up) for the World Cup. This is how seriously FIFA takes its policy of paying us for exposure. The home of the Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes will host seven games in total.

Advertisement

New York and New Jersey Stadium

FIFA finally chose MetLife Stadium to host the World Cup final, but came up with the absolute worst temporary name for the venue. It’s as if FIFA has to acknowledge that yes, the stadium is in New Jersey and at the same time tell the world that it is somewhat close to New York. FIFA couldn’t even choose the NY/NJ stadium: it included the names of both states and $100 train rides.

Philadelphia Stadium

I don’t really care about this one Lincoln Financial Field He was always among the most heartless corporate names in the NFL. The stadium will host six matches in total (five in the group stage, one in the round of 16).

Advertisement

San Francisco Bay Area Stadium

Levi’s Stadium I definitely got the New York New Jersey Stadium treatment here. The stadium is located about an hour from San Francisco if you’re lucky, but FIFA didn’t want to include all that in the name of a stadium or let Levi’s sell jeans. So we were stuck with an unnecessarily long stadium name that still managed to omit “Santa Clara.” The home of the 49ers will host six games in total and none beyond the round of 32. An afterthought, like the name.

Seattle Stadium

Given that light field It is already the fourth name of the stadium, it is good that FIFA has decided on the Seattle Stadium here. I just would have liked to see a little more creativity in general with these names. Emerald Stadium, Rain City Field, Beast Quake Grounds – have fun with it. Seattle will host six games in total, including the USMNT’s second group stage match against Australia.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: FIFA to Rename Least Creatively Named NFL Stadiums for 2026 World Cup