The FIFA World Cup returns to North America this summer for the first time since 1994, but the tournament awaiting fans in 2026 is vastly different from the one that helped introduce the sport to a wider American audience more than three decades ago.
From an expanded field and soaring ticket prices to new rules and modern stadiums, the World Cup has evolved into a much larger global event since the United States last hosted football’s biggest tournament.
A tournament twice the size
The most significant change is the number of participating teams.
The 1994 World Cup was the last edition to feature 24 nations, with 52 matches played over the course of the tournament.
The competition expanded to 32 teams in 1998 and will grow again to 48 teams in 2026.
As a result, the number of matches has doubled to 104, while teams that reach the final will now have to play eight matches instead of seven.
Ticket prices reach new heights
Attending a World Cup has become considerably more expensive.
In 1994, tickets for first-round matches ranged from $25 to $75, while seats for the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena cost between $180 and $475.
For the 2026 tournament, FIFA has introduced dynamic pricing, meaning ticket costs fluctuate based on demand. First-round tickets have been sold for as much as $2,735, while final tickets have reached nearly $11,000.
Three countries, one tournament
The 1994 World Cup was played entirely in the United States across nine stadiums.
The 2026 edition will be hosted by three nations — the United States, Mexico and Canada — making it the first World Cup to be staged across three countries.
A total of 16 venues will be used, including 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada. However, all matches from the quarterfinals onward will be played in the United States.
Record crowds expected
The 1994 World Cup set an attendance record that still stands today.
A total of 3.59 million spectators attended the tournament, averaging nearly 69,000 fans per match.
With twice as many games scheduled in 2026, overall attendance is expected to reach between six and seven million spectators.
Football’s changing rulebook
Several major rule changes have reshaped the modern game since 1994.
At the time, teams were allowed only two substitutions during a match, with limited exceptions involving goalkeepers.
Today, coaches can make up to five substitutions during regular time, with additional replacements available during extra time and in cases involving concussion protocols.
Player names on the back of jerseys, introduced for the 1994 tournament, have since become a standard feature across international football.
Cooling breaks and player welfare
The summer heat remains a challenge for World Cup organizers.
While players in 1994 competed through hot and humid conditions without interruption, the 2026 tournament will include mandatory three-minute cooling breaks in each half when conditions require them.
The breaks are expected to provide players with valuable recovery time and allow coaches brief opportunities to adjust tactics.
Modern stadiums, modern experience
Many of the venues used in 1994 were adapted American football stadiums with fewer premium facilities than today’s arenas.
The 2026 World Cup will be played in modern NFL stadiums featuring expanded hospitality areas, luxury suites and premium seating options.
FIFA has also ensured all venues meet standardized pitch-size requirements, prompting modifications at several stadiums ahead of the tournament.
How FIFA’s role has changed
The 1994 World Cup was largely organized by a local committee led by former U.S. Soccer Federation president Alan Rothenberg, who played a key role in promoting the sport across the country.
For the 2026 edition, FIFA has taken a much more direct role in organizing and overseeing the tournament across all three host nations.
Bigger than ever
While much has changed since 1994, the World Cup remains football’s biggest global spectacle.
What was once a 24-team competition hosted by a single country has evolved into a 48-team tournament spanning an entire continent, reflecting both the sport’s growing popularity and FIFA’s ambition to expand the game’s global reach.
Source: Saudi Gazette