As Seattle prepares to host six FIFA World Cup matches, former Seattle Sounders player and current club ambassador Brad Evans joined Northwest News Radio to explain how the expanded tournament will work.
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in the event’s history, featuring 48 teams instead of the traditional 32. It will also be the first World Cup hosted by three countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico — with matches spread across dozens of cities throughout North America.
Evans explained that each team will play three group-stage matches, with the top teams advancing to the knockout rounds. Because of the expanded field, some third-place teams will also move on to the next stage of the tournament, creating more opportunities for nations to advance.
Seattle will host four group-stage matches and two knockout-round games at Lumen Field. Among the confirmed group-stage contests are United States vs. Australia, Belgium vs. Egypt, Egypt vs. Iran, and Qatar vs. Bosnia, with the knockout matchups to be determined by tournament results.
According to Evans, the United States-Australia match is likely to generate the most excitement locally. He said the opportunity to watch the U.S. Men’s National Team play a World Cup match in Seattle is a historic moment for the city and one that fans have been waiting decades to experience.
