The FIFA World Cup has been played at a variety of soccer stadiums across the world. The most famous World Cup stadiums are probably those in which the final was played, as well as those in which the top European club teams play. These are a few of the most famous FIFA World Cup venues.
Wembley was the leading venue for the 1966 FIFA World Cup. The stadium has now been demolished, but there’s no doubting that the Twin Towers remain among the most famous FIFA World Cup stadiums. Pele once stated: “Wembley is the cathedral of football. It is the capital of football, and it is the heart of football.”
It was there that England and West Germany played out their gripping World Cup final, which went to extra-time after a late German equalizer. During that period, Hurst scored a further two goals, one of which barely crossed the line, to seal an historic World Cup hat-trick and lift the trophy for England. England also played their other World Cup games at the stadium, and all their qualifying matches until it was demolished.
Few stadiums have played host to as many classic World Cup games as Mexico’s Estadio Azteca. That is a 105,000-seater stadium where the Mexican team plays. The stadium was first selected as a venue for the FIFA World Cup in 1970.
It was there that Mexico played its games, and it was also the World Cup final stadium. Brazil swept to victory with a 4-1 thrashing of Italy in a classic game. The Jules Rimet Trophy was handed to the Brazilians for the final time before it was replaced with the current World Cup trophy. Other notable games played at the stadium were Italy’s 4-3 against Germany in the semi-finals.
In 1986, Mexico was also the host for the FIFA World Cup. Once again, the Estadio Azteca was selected as the venue for the World Cup final. In that match, Argentina played Germany, who came from two goals behind before a late third goal sealed victory for the South Americans. Today, it is one of two World Cup stadiums that has hosted two finals.
Argentina played England in the quarter-finals at the stadium in another classic encounter. Maradona put Argentina in front with a handball goal over the England goalkeeper. Their lead was extended when Maradona dribbled the ball around much of the England team to score Argentina’s second. Today, a bronze plaque of Maradona’s Goal of the Century is outside the stadium. The match ended 2–1 to Argentina.
The Estadio Azteca has been one of the FIFA World Cup venues in 2026. It hosted the opening match, group games, and two knockout encounters in the World Cup. The most memorable was perhaps England’s pulsating 3-2 victory against the hosts, Mexico. However, the World Cup final will be played in the USA.
As the home ground of Real Madrid, the Santiago Bernabéu is a famous Spanish soccer stadium that can house approximately 85,000. It has also been one of the best FIFA World Cup venues, and was the final stadium in 1982. In Italy, West Germany played and ran out 3-1 winners. It’s also one of the home stadiums of the Spanish national soccer team, where they play most of their qualifying games for the World Cup.
The Estádio do Maracanã in Rio is another of the greatest FIFA World Cup venues. It was selected as the primary venue for the 1950 World Cup, where Brazil played most of their games. Then, the Estádio do Maracanã could house 200,000 fans for its games, and 199,854 were at the stadium for Brazil’s final match with Uruguay, which remains a World Cup record attendance. Even though they went a goal up, Brazil lost the game as Uruguay ran out 2-1 winners to lift the trophy.
Today, the Maracanã is a 73,129-seater stadium. This was the venue for the Brazil World Cup in 2014. It was there that Germany won the FIFA World Cup final.
At those stadiums, some great World Cup games were played in the final and earlier rounds. They are legendary FIFA World Cup venues for all the memorable games played in them. The unique design and atmosphere of those stadiums also made them special venues.
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