The World Cup is coming to Seattle next year, despite the threats of a certain president. And after Friday's draw and Saturday's schedule release, we know a lot more about who will be playing at Lumen Field (which will be renamed Seattle Stadium for the duration of the tournament due to FIFA’s complex sponsorship rules).
Seattle is scheduled to host four games in the group stage, followed by one in the new-for-2026 round of 32, and another in the round of 16.
Belgium vs. Egypt
June 15
The first-ever World Cup game in Seattle will feature two teams from Group G that feature big-time superstar players: Belgium and Egypt. Neither country has ever won the tournament, but Belgium did finish in third place in 2018, and their men's team, led by veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku and star keeper Thibault Courtois, is ranked eighth in the world by FIFA. Egypt has been an occasional participant, but qualified easily this year, powered by superstar forward Mo Salah.
USA vs. Australia
June 19
This is the one Seattle has been waiting for. Soccer-knowers believe that Saturday's draw was extremely favorable to Team USA, placing them in a group with Paraguay, Australia, who they will face in Seattle, and the winner of a playoff between Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, and Kosovo. It remains to be seen if longtime Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan will make the roster come June—but he did have two assists in a recent national team win over Australia in a friendly.
UEFA Playoff A Winner vs. Qatar
June 24
That's a mouthful right? Well, in plain English, it means that the final qualifying team from UEFA's A group will be coming to play Qatar in a Group B matchup. That means one Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Wales, or Northern Ireland. These qualifying matches won't take place until late March, so it will be a while until we are sure about the final team coming to Seattle for group play.
Egypt vs. Iran
June 26
Egypt returns to Seattle for its second Group G game at not-Lumen Field. (In between, they play in Vancouver, giving them one of the most scenic and convenient travel schedules of any country participating in the tournament. We hope they take the train.) This time, Salah and company will take on an Iran team led by Inter Milan striker Mehdi Taremi.