All National Soccer Stadiums in the World: A Comprehensive Guide

National stadiums are iconic venues where national soccer (football) teams play their home matches. All National Soccer Stadiums in the World serve as the pride of their country, often hosting international games, ceremonies, and major tournaments. In this guide, we explore what national stadiums are, highlight some of the largest and most famous, and provide a country-by-country list of each nation’s main soccer stadium with key details like capacity, location, and opening year. This global stadium list will help fans and researchers alike understand each country’s football venue.

Table of Contents

National soccer stadiums vary widely in capacity and design. The largest – North Korea’s Rungrado 1st of May Stadium (opened 1989) – once held 150,000 spectators, while many smaller countries have venues under 10,000 seats. Some countries (like Spain) do not have a single designated national stadium and instead rotate matches among several major arenas. Globally, FIFA has 211 member associations, and most have at least one stadium used for national team soccer. We’ve organized the list by region for readability.

Capacity: From huge (90,000-seat) to modest (under 10,000).
Design: Multi-purpose vs. soccer-specific; modern vs. historic.
Usage: Home of the men’s and/or women’s national team.

Whether you’re curious about Wembley or wondering which stadium represents Fiji, this guide covers All National Soccer Stadiums country-by-country.

What Is a National Stadium?

A national stadium is generally the primary sports venue designated for a country’s national team. It often hosts home games in football (soccer) and other major events. Some are officially named “National Stadium,” while others are just colloquially considered the national team’s home ground. For example, England’s Wembley Stadium (opened 2007) is England’s national football stadium. Other countries may use an Olympic stadium or a multi-purpose arena as their main football venue.

Many national stadiums are built to high standards (e.g. Olympic criteria) and have large capacities.
The venue is usually in the capital or a major city.
It often hosts key national matches (World Cup qualifiers, friendlies) and may also serve for ceremonies or concerts.

However, not every country has a single “official” stadium. Spain, for instance, has no fixed national stadium; its team plays in Madrid’s Bernabéu or Metropolitano, Barcelona’s Camp Nou, and other large Spanish venues. Likewise, the United States and several other countries host matches in various stadiums rather than one national ground.

Iconic and Largest National Stadiums

Some national stadiums rank among the world’s largest sports venues:

England – Wembley Stadium (London): Opened 2007, capacity 90,000 seats. The home of England’s national football team, Wembley hosts major matches like the FA Cup Final and England games. It’s England’s national stadium and the UK’s largest.
North Korea – Rungrado 1st of May Stadium (Pyongyang): Completed 1989 on an island in Pyongyang. Originally 150,000 capacity (often cited as the world’s largest); recent sources suggest ~114,000 seats after renovations. Rungrado hosts the North Korea national team and major events. Britannica calls it “the world’s largest-capacity stadium”.
Brazil – Maracanã Stadium (Rio de Janeiro): Opened 1950, originally held ~200,000 with standing room. After renovations, capacity is now ~78,000. Maracanã is one of the most legendary stadiums, hosting World Cup finals in 1950 and 2014. It is Brazil’s main national stadium.
South Africa – FNB Stadium (Johannesburg): Opened 1989 as Soccer City, renovated for 2010 World Cup. Capacity 94,736 (largest in Africa). It’s home to South African national soccer and was the World Cup final venue.
Mexico – Estadio Azteca (Mexico City): Opened 1966, capacity 87,523 (largest in Latin America). Home of Mexico’s national team, famous for hosting two World Cup finals (1970, 1986).
Egypt – Cairo International Stadium (Cairo): Opened 1960, 75,000 seats. Egypt’s former national stadium (until Egypt moved to Borg El Arab in Alexandria). Multisport Olympic-style stadium.
United Kingdom (Scotland) – Hampden Park (Glasgow): Opened 1903 (rebuilt 1999), capacity ~52,000. Traditional home of the Scotland national team. (Not to be confused with Wembley, which is England’s stadium.)
Wales – Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff): Opened 2009, capacity ~33,000. The Welsh national team’s home venue. (Wales has no stadium named “national,” but Cardiff City Stadium functions as one.)

These examples illustrate the variety. The list below includes all countries and their national soccer stadiums, with stadium name, city, capacity, opening year, and national team.

Image: Aerial view of Nigeria’s National Stadium Surulere in Lagos (football fans arriving). Many national stadiums, like Nigeria’s, become rallying points for fans on match days.

All National Soccer Stadiums by Continent

Africa: Many African nations have modern national stadiums, often upgraded for events like the Africa Cup of Nations. Notable examples include South Africa’s FNB Stadium (94,736 seats, 1989) and Nigeria’s Moshood Abiola National Stadium (60,491 seats, 2003) in Lagos. Below are key national stadiums in African countries:

Algeria: Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 (Algiers) – 64,200, opened 1972 (main venue for Algeria’s national team).
Egypt: Cairo International Stadium (Cairo) – 75,000, opened 1960 (used by Egypt national team until 2007).
Ghana: Cape Coast Stadium (Cape Coast) – 15,000, opened 2016 (hosted national team games; Ghana has multiple venues).
Nigeria: Moshood Abiola National Stadium (Lagos) – 60,491, opened 2003; home of Nigeria national team.
Senegal: Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor (Dakar) – 60,000, opened 1985 (used by Senegal team).
South Africa: FNB Stadium (Johannesburg) – 94,736, opened 1989 (home of South Africa’s national team). Also Mbombela Stadium (Nelspruit) – 40,929, opened 2009 (used in rotation).
Others: Many other African nations have single national stadiums (e.g., Ivory Coast’s Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Tunisia’s Stade Olympique, etc.), typically 20–60k capacity.

Asia: Asia has some massive stadiums and newer facilities:

China: Workers’ Stadium (Beijing) – 66,161, opened 2008 (venue for Chinese national team). Shanghai Stadium also used.
India: Salt Lake Stadium (Kolkata) – originally 120,000 (now ~85,000), opened 1984 (largest in India; used by Indian national team).
Iran: Azadi Stadium (Tehran) – 78,116, opened 1971 (Iran’s national stadium).
Japan: National Stadium (Tokyo) – 68,000, opened 2019 (built for 2020 Olympics, home of Japan national team).
North Korea: Rungrado 1st of May Stadium (Pyongyang) – 150,000 (1989) (North Korea’s national stadium).
Saudi Arabia: King Fahd International Stadium (Riyadh) – 68,752, opened 1987 (home for Saudi team).
Others: Nations like South Korea (World Cup stadiums in Seoul/Busan used for national team), UAE (Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, 43,000, opened 1980), etc.

Europe: Europe has many famous national stadiums, often among the largest in the world:

England (UK): Wembley Stadium (London) – 90,000, opened 2007 (home of England).
Germany: Olympiastadion Berlin – 74,475, opened 1936 (renovated, Germany’s stadium).
France: Stade de France (Paris) – 81,338, opened 1998 (France’s national stadium).
Spain: No single stadium – Spain rotates among top arenas (Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, Barcelona’s Camp Nou, etc.).
Italy: Stadio Olimpico (Rome) – 70,634, opened 1953 (home to Italy’s national team).
Russia: Luzhniki Stadium (Moscow) – 81,000, opened 1956 (Russia’s main stadium).
Others: (Examples) Netherlands – Johan Cruyff Arena (Amsterdam, 54,990, opened 1996). Sweden – Friends Arena (Stockholm, 50,000, opened 2012). UK (Scotland) – Hampden Park (Glasgow, 51,866, 1903/1999). UK (Wales) – Millennium Stadium (Cardiff, 74,500, 1999).

North & Central America / Caribbean:

Mexico: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) – 87,523, opened 1966 (Mexico’s national stadium).
USA: No fixed national stadium – USMNT plays at various venues (e.g. Gillette Stadium, California Memorial).
Canada: BC Place (Vancouver) – 54,500, opened 1983 (used by Canadian team).
Costa Rica: Estadio Nacional (San José) – 35,000, opened 2011 (Costa Rica’s stadium).
Caribbean: Many small nations (e.g. Jamaica’s National Stadium, Kingston – 35,000, opened 1962).

South America: South America’s stadiums often reflect passionate football cultures:

Brazil: Maracanã Stadium (Rio de Janeiro) – ~78,000, opened 1950. Home of the Brazil national team.
Argentina: Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires) – 70,054, opened 1938 (River Plate stadium, also home of Argentina’s national team).
Chile: Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez (Santiago) – 47,000, opened 1938 (Chile’s main stadium).
Uruguay: Estadio Centenario (Montevideo) – 60,235, opened 1930 (historic World Cup venue, Uruguay’s stadium).
Others: Colombia – Estadio Metropolitano (Barranquilla, 46,000, 1986). Peru – Estadio Nacional (Lima, 50,000, 2011).

Oceania: (Smaller capacities in many Pacific nations)

Australia: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) – 100,024, opened 1854 (used by Australian team). Also Sydney Football Stadium.
New Zealand: Eden Park (Auckland) – 50,000, opened 1900 (rugby stadium also hosts soccer).
Pacific Islands: Fiji – ANZ National Stadium (Suva, 30,000, 1951) hosts Fiji soccer; many small nations have modest stadiums (<15,000).

This country-by-country list is not exhaustive on page, but covers key stadiums. (For complete lists, see [FIFA’s site] or country FA pages.)

Other Interesting Facts

Opening Years: Many stadiums were built in mid-20th century (1950s–70s) and renovated for events (e.g., Olympics, World Cups). Newer stadiums often opened in 2000s or 2010s.
Capacities: Globally, only a handful exceed 80,000. Several (like India’s Salt Lake Stadium) were even larger but later reduced for all-seater conversion.
Alternate Venues: If a country has no fixed stadium (e.g. Spain, Italy sometimes alternates, USA, etc.), we note one example city or explain rotation.

Largest and Notable Stats

World’s largest national stadium: Rungrado 1st of May Stadium (North Korea) ~114,000–150,000.
Second-largest: Likely Wembley (England) at 90,000 or Camp Nou (Spain, club stadium 99,000, not national).
Africa’s largest: FNB Stadium (Johannesburg) – 94,736.
South America’s largest: Estadio Azteca (Mexico) – 87,523 (Mexico) and Estádio do Maracanã (Brazil, ~78k).
Europe’s largest national stadium: Wembley 90,000 (as of 2025).

Sources: Stadium capacities and opening dates are drawn from official stadium pages and sports encyclopedias. FIFA’s membership number provides global context.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What qualifies as a national stadium?
A national stadium is typically the main arena where a country’s national soccer team plays home games. It may be officially designated or simply the most-used venue. Some countries call it “National Stadium” by name, while others use an Olympic or municipal stadium. (Spain is an exception with no official national stadium.)

Q: Do all countries have one national stadium?
Most countries have a stadium they use as their primary national venue, but not all. For example, Spain, the United States, and a few others rotate matches among multiple stadiums rather than having a single national stadium. In FIFA’s 211 member associations, most do, but some small nations or federations choose flexibility.

Q: Which national stadium is the largest?
North Korea’s Rungrado 1st of May Stadium (Pyongyang) has the largest capacity in the world. Britannica reports it at 150,000 seats. For practical seating (after renovations) it’s around 114,000, still the largest.

Q: What are some famous national stadiums?
Famous ones include Wembley (England), Stade de France (France), Olympic Stadium (Germany), Azteca (Mexico), Maracanã (Brazil), etc. These have hosted World Cups, Olympics, and major finals. Many national stadiums are iconic landmarks.

Q: How are national stadiums chosen or named?
Often a national stadium is built by the football association or government. Some are named for national heroes or on important dates (e.g. Algeria’s July 5, 1962 Stadium). Names like “National Stadium” are common (e.g. Singapore National Stadium, Malta National Stadium). Many simply adopt a unique name but are de facto national stadiums.

Q: Where can I find a list of all national stadiums?
Official sports federations or FIFA/FIFA member sites may list stadiums. Wikipedia and sports databases have compiled lists. This article aims to give an overview and key examples. For details by country, sports reference websites and national football association publications are useful.

Conclusion

All National Soccer Stadiums in the World reflect the rich diversity of football culture. From mega-arenas like Wembley and Rungrado to quaint island stadiums, each national stadium has its own story. This guide provides an organized overview by country and region, highlighting capacity, age, and usage. Whether you’re planning to visit a stadium or just love trivia, these national sports venues are global landmarks.