Why isn't Los Angeles hosting the World Cup Final?

The World Cup Final won’t be hosted in Los Angeles, and FIFA’s venue rules and priorities are driving the decision. The July 19 final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, not at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, AT&T Stadium in Dallas, or Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. FIFA had set this approach years earlier, and the choice has remained controversial because the larger, standout facilities in Los Angeles have been prominently showcased during the tournament. A key factor is FIFA’s capacity policy: final venues must seat at least 80,000. Under that threshold, only MetLife, AT&T, and Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca qualify. Reporting said Dallas and Arlington made a serious effort, including meetings with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, but FIFA preferred New York’s global profile and time zone.