SoFi Stadium Emerges as Unlikely Star of 2026 World Cup

The $5.5-billion venue in Inglewood hosted eight World Cup matches, drawing praise from players, coaches, and fans as one of the world's top football stadiums.

This article was drafted with AI assistance from multiple sources and was reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication.

SoFi Stadium, the home of the NFL's Rams and Chargers, has been hailed as one of the standout attractions of the 2026 World Cup, hosting eight matches including a quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium. The stadium, referred to by FIFA as "Los Angeles Stadium," drew a total attendance of 561,656 across its eight matches, with four sellout crowds of 70,492.

Kevin Demoff, president of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, noted that the tournament created "core memories" for the venue, such as the U.S. team's early goal against Paraguay and the large Iranian diaspora turnout. New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley called it "the best football stadium I’ve ever been in." Swiss defender Manuel Akanji, who plays for Inter Milan, compared it favorably to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, saying, "This is the best I’ve seen overall among all the stadiums I’ve ever been to."

The stadium's real grass surface, installed for the World Cup, was praised by players, though Demoff indicated that switching from artificial turf permanently would be challenging due to the dual NFL tenant schedule. Fans and visitors admired the architecture, the infinity screen, and the cooling canopy. The only notable complaint online was that FIFA awarded the final to MetLife Stadium instead.

Stadium staff also benefited from a late-breaking contract agreement that raised wages to over $30 per hour. Overall, the World Cup run transformed perceptions of SoFi Stadium, adding historical significance and global recognition.