Sign In
Create an account and enjoy all the benefits of HAR.com!
Sign In
Sign in using social account
The world’s biggest sporting event is around the corner—and Houston is one of its brightest stages. With seven electrifying matches scheduled at NRG Stadium, including a massive July 4th Quarterfinal, the Bayou City is preparing for a historic moment in sports, culture, and global engagement.
Below is a breakdown of all teams that have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—and their last appearance—followed by what Houstonians and visitors can expect.
| Nation | Last Appearance |
|---|---|
| United States (Host) | 2022 |
| Mexico (Host) | 2022 |
| Canada (Host) | 2022 |
| Panama | 2018 |
| Haiti | 1974 |
| Curaçao | First appearance |
| Nation | Last Appearance |
|---|---|
| Japan | 2022 |
| Iran | 2022 |
| Uzbekistan | First appearance |
| Australia | 2022 |
| South Korea | 2022 |
| Jordan | First appearance |
| Saudi Arabia | 2022 |
| Qatar | 2022 |
| Nation | Last Appearance |
|---|---|
| Morocco | 2022 |
| Tunisia | 2022 |
| Egypt | 2018 |
| Algeria | 2014 |
| Ghana | 2022 |
| Cape Verde | First appearance |
| South Africa | 2010 |
| Senegal | 2022 |
| Ivory Coast | 2014 |
| Nation | Last Appearance |
|---|---|
| Argentina | 2022 |
| Ecuador | 2022 |
| Brazil | 2022 |
| Colombia | 2018 |
| Uruguay | 2022 |
| Paraguay | 2010 |
| Nation | Last Appearance |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 2010 |
| Nation | Last Appearance |
|---|---|
| England | 2022 |
| France | 2022 |
| Croatia | 2022 |
| Portugal | 2022 |
| Norway | 1998 |
| Germany | 2022 |
| Netherlands | 2022 |
| Spain | 2022 |
| Belgium | 2022 |
| Switzerland | 2022 |
| Austria | 1998 |
| Scotland | 1998 |
The diversity and strength of this lineup guarantee a tournament unlike any other—especially for cities lucky enough to host matches.
Houston will host matches on:
June 14
June 17
June 20
June 23
June 26
June 29
July 4 — Quarterfinal (Projected viewership: 1 BILLION worldwide)
Attendance across these games is expected to be off the charts, with Houston projected to break multiple stadium and tourism records.
The July 4th Quarterfinal, in particular, is drawing massive global attention and is expected to be one of the most-watched matches in World Cup history.
As Houston prepares to welcome fans from every continent, Sister Cities Houston (SCH) is stepping into a larger global role with initiatives focused on:
International cultural exchange
Global partnerships
High-visibility community involvement
Tailgating & fan-experience opportunities
City-to-city diplomacy and cultural celebrations
The World Cup creates an unprecedented platform for SCH to deepen relationships with its international partners and amplify Houston's global footprint.
Expect global-themed tailgates, cultural showcases, networking activations, and opportunities to welcome guests from the sister cities represented in the tournament.
With elite teams, record-breaking viewership, and billions of eyes on the city, Houston is preparing for a World Cup moment that will echo for decades.
Stay tuned for updates, tailgate announcements, global engagement opportunities, and ways to get involved as the city gears up for the world’s biggest sporting event.
Erase note
You currently have no custom folders