The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, and will run through Sunday, July 19, 2026. This marks a historic first for the tournament: it will be the first men's World Cup hosted across three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—and the first edition to feature 48 teams. With matches scheduled across 16 venues, including 11 in the U.S., football fans are in for an unforgettable summer of global competition.

But here's a twist that might surprise NFL fans: many of the most iconic stadiums in American sports will undergo a temporary makeover for the World Cup. FIFA requires that all non-FIFA sponsor branding be stripped away during the tournament, and stadiums will be referred to by simplified, temporary names. That means the familiar corporate logos and names you see on game day will be replaced with clean, city-focused labels like Atlanta Stadium, Boston Stadium, and New York New Jersey Stadium. The venues themselves remain the same, but for the World Cup, FIFA's branding rules take center stage.

Let's break down what this means for some of the NFL's most famous homes.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will become Atlanta Stadium during the tournament. Home to the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, this state-of-the-art venue will host a semifinal and a total of eight matches. The iconic Mercedes logo on the roof? That was part of a separate agreement, so it stays—but the stadium name gets a temporary refresh.

Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, will be known as Boston Stadium—even though it's located in Foxborough, not Boston. FIFA's naming convention focuses on the nearest major city, so expect to hear "Boston Stadium" for its seven matches, including knockout-round games.

AT&T Stadium, the massive home of the Dallas Cowboys, will be called Dallas Stadium during the World Cup. Despite being in Arlington, the venue will take on the larger metro name. It's set to host nine matches—the most of any U.S. stadium—making it a key hub for the tournament.

NRG Stadium, where the Houston Texans play, will be renamed Houston Stadium. It will host seven World Cup matches, and while the venue is already a well-known sports landmark, FIFA will still remove its corporate branding for the event.

Arrowhead Stadium, the legendary home of the Kansas City Chiefs, will become Kansas City Stadium. Known for its deafening crowd noise and passionate fan base, Arrowhead will host six matches, including a quarterfinal. FIFA passed over the stadium's famous nickname in favor of a straightforward city label.

SoFi Stadium, the sleek home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, will be known as Los Angeles Stadium during the tournament. Despite being located in Inglewood, it will host eight matches, including round of 32 games and a quarterfinal. The temporary name puts the focus on the greater Los Angeles area.

For fans who love both American football and global soccer, this is a fascinating crossover moment. The same stadiums where you cheer on your favorite NFL team will soon be filled with the roar of World Cup crowds, all under new—but temporary—names. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or a casual soccer enthusiast, the 2026 World Cup promises to be a spectacle that bridges two sports worlds like never before.