The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 has officially entered its final sprint. With just over 50 days remaining until the massive opening ceremony and first match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, the preparations have shifted from planning to physical transformation. Iconic venues like Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles are receiving their final “World Cup” touches to accommodate the tournament’s historic expansion.
This will be the first time three nations share hosting duties for a field of 48 teams. The expanded format brings a total of 104 matches, requiring the use of 16 world-class venues. While Mexico and Canada provide five of those spots, the United States is supplying 11 stadiums, all of which are current NFL venues. This shared usage means that 13 NFL franchises, including the Jets, Giants, Rams, and Chargers, who share home turf, must navigate a summer of unprecedented logistical challenges.
Manhattan Block Parties: How FIFA Displaced the 2026 NFL Draft
The first tangible evidence of the soccer takeover is being felt by the New York Giants and New York Jets. Traditionally, both franchises host their NFL Draft fan parties at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. However, according to the Sports Business Journal, the venue is currently off-limits to the NFL, as FIFA crews have begun installing the natural grass pitch required for international play.
As a result, both teams are taking their draft celebrations to the streets of Manhattan. The Jets will host fans at the South Street Seaport, while the Giants are heading to Hudson Yards for a Draft Night Block Party. This shift was a “forced move” due to the 30-day exclusive use period that gives FIFA total control over the venues starting in mid-May.
For stadium operations teams, this is a massive shift, as they must vacate their “home” until late July, right as the league begins ramping up for NFL Training Camp.
Operational Overhaul: How 13 Teams Are Navigating the FIFA Takeover
The disruption isn’t just about party locations; it’s a fundamental change to how NFL workforce and business operations function during the peak of the offseason. While teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles have always been supportive of the global event, the reality of losing stadium access for two months has required significant adjustments across the board.
The impact varies significantly from city to city for the 13 affected teams:
- Kansas City Chiefs: At Arrowhead Stadium, ticketing sales and operations staff have been relocated to off-site facilities. Meanwhile, the stadium’s event staff have essentially been folded into the FIFA operations team for the duration of the summer.
- Atlanta Falcons: Employees at Mercedes-Benz Stadium are still allowed on-site but must operate under FIFA credentialing rather than their usual NFL access. Furthermore, the team has implemented mandatory work-from-home orders for all staff on match days.
- San Francisco 49ers: While stadium operations staff remain at Levi’s Stadium, other departments have been moved to secondary offices or remote work to minimize congestion during World Cup preparations.
- Houston Texans: Among the teams sharing venues, the Texans managed to negotiate terms that allow for “business as usual” for most of their departments, providing a rare exception to the standard FIFA lockdown.
Ultimately, these 13 teams, including the Seahawks, Patriots, Dolphins, and Rams, are proving that the “NFL offseason” is no longer a quiet time. Balancing the revenue-generating machine of the NFL with the world’s largest sporting event is the new reality of 2026.
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