The stadiums where Italy could play at the 2026 World Cup If they were to get through the playoffs

The countdown has begun for the Italian National Team as it prepares for the playoffs that could secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Italy will face Northern Ireland in Bergamo on March 26. Should they advance, they would then play away on March 31 against the winner of Wales vs Serbia. If the Azzurri clear those hurdles, the path ahead is already mapped out, with the draw placing Gennaro Gattuso’s side in Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar.

Toronto Stadium

Italy’s potential debut would take place on June 12 against Canada at Toronto Stadium, the venue more commonly known as BMO Field. It is the home of Toronto FC, the MLS franchise, officially inaugurated in 2007 and currently undergoing renovation works ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The upgrades include improvements to lighting and video systems, but the most significant intervention is the expansion of seating capacity. Two temporary stands are being installed behind the goals, effectively creating a second tier. This will increase the stadium’s total capacity from 28,000 to 45,736 seats.

Los Angeles Stadium

The potential second group-stage match against Switzerland, scheduled for June 18, would mark Italy’s return to an NFL stadium. The Los Angeles Stadium is better known as SoFi Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers. The venue is famous for two standout features. The first is the suspended circular jumbotron positioned at the center of the field, ensuring optimal visibility for spectators through a series of massive video boards—a solution also adopted by Real Madrid during the renovation of the Santiago Bernabéu. The second is its irregular architectural layout, visible from above and fully covered by a translucent panel roof.

Seattle Stadium

The third group-stage match against Qatar, scheduled for June 24, would instead mark the Azzurri’s debut in Seattle. The venue for this first appearance would be Lumen Field—renamed Seattle Stadium for the tournament—home to the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and MLS side Seattle Sounders. A stadium with 69,000 seats that immediately stands out for its distinctive structure, with only the two lateral stands appearing covered. In reality, this is an optical effect created by the retractable roof, which protects the entire venue while also revealing a dramatic slice of the city’s skyline behind both goals when open. The stadium is also known as one of the loudest in the world: the sound waves produced by Sounders fans have even generated vibrations similar to seismic activity.