Fans rip FIFA World Cup 2026 logo after official reveal for men's tournament in USA, Mexico and Canada

The biggest World Cup in history is not taking place until 2026, but the event already has an official logo and it has fans talking.

The image that is set to become one of the most recognizable symbols of the 2026 World Cup was unveiled at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on May 17 in advance of the tournament that will be co-hosted by the North American nations of the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The logo unveiled was a clear break from the more intricate and colorful designs of past editions, and fans took notice. Many of them were critical of the minimalist execution.

Here's the logo for the 2026 event, which will be the first to be co-hosted by three nations. The tournament will feature an expanded field of 48 teams playing 104 games in a record number of venues.

#WeAre26 pic.twitter.com/H1SyqypUYY

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 18, 2023

What is the FIFA 2026 World Cup logo?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup logo is "2" and "6" stacked vertically in white, with the FIFA World Cup superimposed. 

"For the first time in history, an image of the actual trophy and the tournament hosting year is being depicted, forming an innovative design language that anchors the FIFA World Cup emblem for 2026 and beyond," FIFA said in a press release. "The image of the trophy and the year allow for customisation to reflect the uniqueness of each host [city and nation]."

FIFA unveils the official 2026 FIFA World Cup logo! 🏆🖼#WeAre26 pic.twitter.com/otTCm3YEVV

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 18, 2023

This was the moment it was unveiled by Brazil star and World Cup hero Ronaldo, together with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

We're officially on the road to 2026! 😍🏆#WeAre26 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/83Js8H3zCj

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 18, 2023

Its simple design seems to lend itself to various different executions, one of which was seen on the roof of SoFi Stadium, one of the tournament venues.

There’s the logo of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, unveiled tonight on top of SoFi. pic.twitter.com/CvLORVbzBD

— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) May 18, 2023

As also revealed during the logo unveiling, each host city will eventually release a logo and color scheme that is specific to each venue and captures the character and personality of the city.

MORE: Future World Cup locations past 2026

Social media reaction to FIFA World Cup logo

While you can find a few fans who appreciate the simple design, many others were unimpressed. The clip art references were many.

This may be the worst brand I've ever seen. Not even just among World Cup logos/branding. Jesus.

How did we go from these to this generic disappointment? #WeAre26 https://t.co/XsOxeb0KAk pic.twitter.com/lLgYvfA69P

— Colton Coreschi (@cjcoreschi) May 18, 2023

We are underwhelmed. https://t.co/Bsyggbmba2

— Alexander Abnos (@AnAbnos) May 18, 2023

This is the World Cup logo? Are you serious? Please say sike https://t.co/Jz7IAWSrHJ

— Jordan (@NatFan9) May 18, 2023

I really only have my self to blame for sitting through 30 minutes of what I knew would be garbage just to be given THIS as the official brand of the 2026 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/8r9dGpBN3E

— D.J. Switzer (@wrongsideofpond) May 18, 2023

WHAT THE HELL IS THIS LMFAO https://t.co/yElVLzIgKN

— major league soccer fan (@atlutd_kyle) May 18, 2023

FIFA bought the NBA Street font package https://t.co/rAGyPNk5fl

— OJ (@old_joe_) May 18, 2023

TM not necessary. Ain't nobody ripping this off. https://t.co/Mncb49jnDE

— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) May 18, 2023

Noo...this can't be it lol https://t.co/Fwjwzp6t8t

— Brett Mullenix (@Brett_Mullenix) May 18, 2023

Most bland thing in the world 🤣🤣 https://t.co/y2DvbZQXov

— Matthew Gonzales 🇲🇽🇺🇸 (@matthew_gon24) May 18, 2023

It looks like they put a Clip Art version of the World Cup trophy over the rest of the logo https://t.co/ijaICrWYd0

— Bryan Rice (@bricey16) May 18, 2023

Is this a joke? If not, worst World Cup logo in history. https://t.co/vFjFWWWqpV

— Peter Schaad (@PeteSchaad) May 18, 2023

but that's not actually the logo right? they have to hold an even longer event for the actual logohttps://t.co/W9RlzjlURg

— Seth Vertelney (@svertelney) May 18, 2023

That is a logo... I guess https://t.co/hQ4OleaBYj

— Martino (@MartinoPuccio) May 18, 2023

They literally MS painted the trophy on a 26 https://t.co/MT1qV79kcH

— Will 🇺🇸⚽️ (@the_futgaffer) May 18, 2023

I too enjoy Clipart https://t.co/Uf8flRYl9I

— Joey Gulino (@JGulinoYahoo) May 18, 2023

A North American World Cup with 3 artistic cultures to work from and all we get is bland corporate logo or something you or I can cook up in Microsoft Paint or Photoshop in 5 minutes? https://t.co/FDHutnfg6f

— Kevin Grüssing (Pronounced Grew-sing) (🔜MomoCon) (@KevDGrussing) May 18, 2023

I believe my 19-year-old cat could've designed a better logo for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. pic.twitter.com/fCryFtyJbi

— Alex Seixeiro (@AlexSeixeiro) May 18, 2023

That’s it? https://t.co/vwaX6sJnBq

— Alex Calabrese (@amcalabrese12) May 18, 2023

This is not good. Tell me they got hacked. https://t.co/vzpUzUlpyP

— Daniel Tiluk (@danieltiluk) May 18, 2023

How did the FIFA World Cup go from these 3 beauties to this? pic.twitter.com/97heJMLIfl

— Jared. (@Jayleejnr) May 18, 2023

hell naw lmao 💀 https://t.co/HRqICTZCfX

— alexia⁷ (@SeeWhatLexiSeas) May 18, 2023

People actually got made to make this for FIFA.

I’m sure I could create this in PhotoShop in no time. https://t.co/2VKJi7R29z

— Joe Tansey (@JTansey90) May 18, 2023

FIFA has just revealed the official logo & branding for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. I am… extremely underwhelmed, and you probably will be too.

w/@EliasBurke on @TheAthleticSCCR: https://t.co/MktsSQYHNJ

— Pablo Iglesias Maurer (@MLSist) May 18, 2023

You guys could of used this one instead pic.twitter.com/AzCrPlLYsL

— Miguel Baeza (@MB81996) May 18, 2023

This has to be laziest logo I have ever seen. https://t.co/cINOw0qHJ7

— Joshua Rey (@JoshuaRey91) May 18, 2023

I can’t believe they went away from the great theme they had of World Cup trophy shaped logos with local inspiration for THIS. I’m furious. pic.twitter.com/As7aySEgXP

— Jordan (@NatFan9) May 18, 2023

There’s no way 🙄 https://t.co/aHMKzVj1ga

— Linners & Wosers (@LinnersWosers) May 18, 2023

No way… this is so ugly and poorly made, this is supposed to be the biggest World Cup ever and the official logo looks like it was made quickly in photoshop, very disappointing from the creative team on this https://t.co/kDgXdKXQz0

— Kam (@_Just_Kamil) May 18, 2023

Wait, that’s really the logo? 🥴 https://t.co/AOhtFJdaAA

— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) May 18, 2023

I am very whelmed by this logo

Nothing screams World Cup's return to North America more than an utter lack of logo personality https://t.co/Z6zGrTX30P

— Briar Napier (@BriarNapier) May 18, 2023

Thanks. I hate it. https://t.co/XGiembIK9q

— 3rd Degree (@3rdDegreeNet) May 18, 2023

They had one job pic.twitter.com/JEHcpCMz8i

— Baraka G 🇰🇪🇺🇸⭐⭐ (@baraka_gicheru) May 18, 2023

???? Where's the rest of it https://t.co/R64hMGLwYr

— local bIogger (@fergoe) May 18, 2023

This is not good. Tell me they got hacked. https://t.co/vzpUzUlpyP

— Daniel Tiluk (@danieltiluk) May 18, 2023

Wait.

That's it?
That's..... That's actual logo??
Why? https://t.co/HgUHpSxyAw

— FTCUTD: The Professionally Fanned Soccer Show (@FTCUTD) May 18, 2023

No way https://t.co/aKKKUYVGGS

— • (@Claszify) May 18, 2023

Bruh...even the bid logo looks better than this. At least it has colors. pic.twitter.com/Q7X5gDVTB5

— subtempest04 (@subtempest04) May 18, 2023

World Cup 2026 stadiums, cities, host venues

The 23rd edition of the men's World Cup will take place across 16 cities in North America. 

The majority of the matches will be played in the USA, including every knockout-round match. Two venues in Canada and another three in Mexico will host group-stage matches.

The list of 16 cities follows below. Match assignments have yet to be announced.

MORE: Which city will host the 2026 World Cup final?

Venues to host 2026 World Cup matches

MORE: Do USA, Canada, Mexico have to qualify for 2026?

Where will the 2026 World Cup final be held?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off Thursday, June 11, 2026, and will conclude just over a month later on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

The stadium that will host the final on July 19, 2026, will be one of these three venues, according to reports:

• Los Angeles: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, Calif.)
• New York: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)
• Dallas: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)

Past men's World Cup finals held on North American soil have been hosted in Mexico City and just outside Los Angeles: 

• 1970: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
• 1986: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
• 1994: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.)

MORE: Every men's World Cup final since 1930

World Cup 2026 format

The 48 teams that qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be split into 12 groups of four teams.

The top two finishers in each group and the eight best third-place teams will advance to the Round of 32, which will kick off the knockout stages.

The knockout stages, beginning with the Round of 32, will consist of single-elimination matches that go to extra time and penalties, if necessary, in case of a draw after 90 minutes.

The road to the final will include the Round of 32, followed by the Round of 16, the quarterfinals, and semifinals. A total of 104 matches will be played.

MORE: Everything to know about the 2026 World Cup

World Cup 2026 timeline, key dates

The 2026 World Cup will mark the second time that the men's World Cup has been played on American soil (1994), the third time in Mexico (1970, 1986), and the first time in Canada.

The countries put forth a united bid that won FIFA's vote in 2018.

• June 13, 2018: Bid by USA, Canada, and Mexico voted to host 2026 event
• July 18, 2022: Cities, stadiums announced for 2026 World Cup
• March 14, 2023: FIFA approves format for 48-team World Cup in 2026
• May 17, 2023: FIFA World Cup logo is unveiled
• June 11, 2026: FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off