Which Nations Will Be Visiting Miami for This Summer’s World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, and Miami will have a huge part to play in the tournament. Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Dolphins, will be hosting no fewer than seven games at the tournament, the fifth most of any of the 16 host cities. And American soccer fans will all be hoping that being the host nation – or co-host, alongside neighbors Mexico and Canada – could propel them to a deep tournament run. 

Back in 2018, unfancied Russia entered the tournament as the lowest-ranked of the 32 nations competing, but they managed to ride the wave of raucous home support to reach the quarterfinals, coming within a penalty shootout of a spot in the final-four. In 2002, South Korea would reach the semifinals, beating both Italy and Spain along the way. Both Germany in 2006 and Brazil in 2014 also made it to the semis, albeit the less said about the Selecao’s effort, the better. 

USA’s World Cup Hopes 

So, will Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT and their rowdy home supporters propel them to the latter stages of the tournament? Online betting sites certainly think that they have the best chance of any of the three co-hosting nations of leaving MetLife Stadium with the trophy this July. The popular Lucky Rebel Sportsbook currently lists Christian Pulisic and Co. as a +6500 fringe contender to win the World Cup, with Mexico at +7500 and Canada at +22500. Each of them, however, lags some way behind outright favorites Spain, who are positioned as a 9/2 shot to reign supreme. 

So, what about Miami? And specifically, which nations will be heading to South Beach to contest their World Cup games this summer? Let’s take a look. 

Group H 

Two Group H games will take place at Hard Rock Stadium this summer, with Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay the first game hosted there on June 15th. Four years ago, the Saudis caused the biggest shock of the 2022 World Cup when they stunningly upset Lionel Messi’s Argentina, rallying from a goal down to win 2-1. They will be aiming to do the same again against another South American nation: two-time champions Uruguay. 

La Celeste will remain in the city ahead of their second game, which also takes place in Miami. They will face tournament debutants Cape Verde there on June 21st, and the Uruguayans will be hoping to finish their Magic City adventure with two wins from two. With the likes of Real Madrid talisman Federico Valverde and perhaps even veteran Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez in their ranks, it would be a huge shock if they didn’t. 

Brazil vs Scotland 

On June 24th, a star-studded Brazilian side will head to Miami to clash with the returning Scotland. The Selecao are one of the genuine contenders to win the tournament this summer, with the bookies listing them as an 8/1 shot – just Spain, England, and France are considered more likely. Iconic former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is in charge, with Los Blancos winger Vinicius Jr. the star of the show. However, don’t expect to see too many of the Brazilian superstars on display: they may well already be qualified for the knockout round should they win their two prior games against Morocco and Haiti, and thus Don Carlo could well rotate in a bid to keep his squad fresh ahead of the knockout round. 

For Scotland, however, the clash could have huge consequences. They will likely need a result against the Brazilians in order to progress to the latter stages, especially if they lose to Morocco in Boston five days prior. 

Colombia vs Portugal 

Hard Rock Stadium’s final group game takes place on June 27th as Colombia face off against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the final game of Group K. Both teams will expect to have their spots in the knockout round already secured after facing off against DR Congo and Uzbekistan. As such, this clash could well be to decide the group winner, something both sides will want to be considering, given the favorable run they will have throughout the rest of the tournament. 

Ronaldo will be coming to South Beach for the first time, but whether the iconic striker plays or rests on the bench is a different matter entirely. Still, Miami will have the chance to see this legend up close and personal, perhaps for the final time, with this summer’s World Cup expected to be his final ever foray onto the World Cup stage. 

Messi’s Argentina in the Round of 32 

Lionel Messi is another man who will head to the World Cup for the final time this summer, and he could well be headed to Miami for the Round of 32. The Argentinian magician already calls the city his home, regularly turning out for MLS side Inter Miami at club level. Should his beloved Albiceleste top Group K as expected, then they will play their round of 32 game at Hard Rock Stadium, likely against Uruguay, marking their third trip to the city. 

A Crunch Quarterfinal 

Hard Rock Stadium will host one of the four quarterfinal matches, and it’s likely to be a big one. Should both England and Brazil top their respective groups and make it through the early knockout rounds unscathed, then they will face off against each other in Miami on July 11th in a genuine clash between two of the beautiful game’s true heavyweights. 

The two sides met at the same stage back in 2002, with Brazil reigning supreme after Ronaldinho’s spectacular second-half free kick. The Three Lions will be aiming to avoid the same fate in their quest to end 60 long years of hurt. 

Third-Place Playoff 

Miami will also host the game that no one wants to play in, the third-place playoff. The two losing semifinalists will square off at Hard Rock on July 18th, one day before the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.