Since the first edition almost 100 years ago in 1930, the FIFA World Cup has grown to become the biggest sporting event in the world. Every four years, teams from across the globe compete for the chance to be crowned world champions.

Each tournament held since the inaugural edition in Montevideo, Uruguay features a final venue that is used to host the contest between the best two teams at each year’s tournament. These venues are often the setting of some the greatest moments in football and sporting history.

From 2018 to 2022, the World Cup final was held in two different cities across two continents. The 2022 edition of the tournament was the first to be held in the Middle East and the second time hosted by the country within the Asian confederation. The upcoming 2026 tournament will be the first to be across three countries.

2018 – Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia

The stadium opened in 1956 and has been the national stadium of Russia ever since. The stadium has a capacity of 78,011 making it the largest in football stadium in Russia and ninth largest stadium in Europe.

The stadium hosted seven matches at the 2018 World Cup including the final match. The final match of the tournament saw France win their second title against Croatia, a 4-2 victory in front of a crowd of a capacity crowd.

The stadium is best known for having been the main stadium of the 1980 Summer Olympics hosted by the former Soviet Union. The stadiums roof was added after the Olympics with the running track removed in the lead up the 2018 World Cup.

2022 – Lusail Iconic Stadium, Doha, Qatar

Opened in 2022, Lusail Stadium has been the largest stadium in Qatar and the Middle East since opening with a capacity of 88,966. The stadium was one of eight new venues built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The stadium hosted ten matches at the 2022 World Cup including the final match. The final match of the tournament saw Argentina win their third title against France, a 3-3 (4-2) victory on penalties in front of a crowd of a capacity crowd.

Post World Cup, the stadium has hosted the 2023 Asian Cup and is expected to host the new format FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The stadium hosts occasional games for the Qatari national team and is expected have its capacity reduced to 40,000 in the near future.

2026 – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

The MetLife Stadium located in New Jersey, 8km west of New York City. Opened in 2010, with a capacity of 82,500, the stadium was the most expensive stadium ever built at the time of its completion.

The stadium is expected to host eight games at the 2025 FIFA World Cup including the final. Although located New Jersey, events held at the stadium are almost always referred to as being played in the New York due to the stadium serving as the city’s de facto stadium.

The stadium is primarily used as the home ground for the both the New York Giants and New York Jets in the National Football League. The stadium has also hosted matches at two editions of the Copa America and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.