SoFi Stadium
Los Angeles venue hosting eight FIFA 2026 matches including USMNT's opening game and Iran vs New Zealand.
Last refreshed: 5 April 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why is SoFi Stadium at the centre of Iran's most sensitive World Cup decision?
Latest on SoFi Stadium
- Which World Cup games are at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles?
- SoFi Stadium (known as Los Angeles Stadium for the World Cup) hosts eight matches, including USA vs Paraguay on 12 June, Iran vs New Zealand on 15 June, and Belgium vs Iran on 21 June.Source: background
- How much did SoFi Stadium cost to build?
- Over $5.5 billion, making it one of the most expensive stadiums ever constructed.Source: quick_facts
Background
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California — rebranded as Los Angeles Stadium for the duration of the 2026 World Cup under FIFA's neutral-naming policy — will host eight World Cup fixtures, including USA vs Paraguay (12 June), Iran vs New Zealand (15 June) and Belgium vs Iran (21 June). The stadium has a standard capacity of approximately 70,000 and can be expanded for major events. It features a translucent ETFE roof allowing natural light while controlling the climate — a significant consideration for summer football in Southern California.
Completed in 2020 at a cost of over $5.5 billion, SoFi Stadium is the home of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. It sits to the east of Los Angeles International Airport in the city of Inglewood. The venue is one of eight in the greater Los Angeles metro area, but SoFi is the tournament's flagship West Coast venue and one of the most technically advanced stadiums ever built. Iran's Group G matches being assigned to Los Angeles was central to the diplomatic row over Iran's potential World Cup participation: Iran sought relocation to Mexico, which FIFA rejected.
The stadium's significance to the 2026 World Cup extends beyond its technical specifications. Los Angeles is the most diverse city in North America, and the Iran–New Zealand and Belgium–Iran fixtures will draw huge diaspora communities from across California. The presence of a large Iranian-American population in the Los Angeles area adds a particular resonance to Iran's Group G matches at this venue, whatever the final diplomatic resolution of Iran's participation.
