Houston Skyline Lights Up Blue to Celebrate 100 Days Until 2026 FIFA World Cup

The city is one of 16 host cities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico for the upcoming tournament.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Parts of the Houston skyline lit up blue on Tuesday night to mark the 100-day countdown until the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Houston is one of the host cities for the tournament and will be hosting seven matches, including a knockout stage matchup on July 4.

Why it matters

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a major international sporting event that will bring significant attention and economic activity to Houston. The city's participation as a host city is a point of civic pride and an opportunity to showcase the city's infrastructure and hospitality to a global audience.

The details

Houston City Hall, 1000 Main, and the Bank of America Tower all featured blue lights once dusk hit on Tuesday to celebrate the 100-day milestone. The World Cup starts on June 11, and Houston's first matchup is scheduled for June 14 at NRG Stadium. The city is also hosting a fan festival in the EaDo neighborhood during the tournament.

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts on June 11, 2026.
  • Houston's first matchup is scheduled for June 14, 2026 at NRG Stadium.
  • Houston is hosting a knockout stage matchup on July 4, 2026.

The players

Chris Canetti

The president of the local host committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Houston.

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What they’re saying

“While we're all very excited for the World Cup to get here, we kind of hope time slows down a little bit so that we can get what we need to get done. But right now, we're in a very good position, and we're exactly where we expect it to be.”

— Chris Canetti, President of the local host committee (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Houston's participation as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a significant opportunity for the city to showcase its infrastructure, hospitality, and civic pride on a global stage. The lighting of the skyline is an early celebration of this milestone event.