FIFA World Cup 2026: Empire State Building Lights Up for 100-Day Mark

Empire State Building Kicks Off FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown in Style!

New York City marks 100 days until the historic tournament with a vibrant light show, official mascot appearances, and the unveiling of the tournament poster and a countdown clock.

Aisha Palmer

Mar 3, 2026, 6:51 PM PT · 2 min read

Empire State Building pano — Photo: Daniel Schwen / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

THE RUNDOWN

Empire State Building lit up in US, Canada, Mexico colors on March 3, 2026.
Marked 100-day countdown to FIFA World Cup 2026.
Official mascots Maple, Zayu, and Clutch attended the ceremony.
New tournament poster and countdown clock unveiled in NYC.
Tournament runs June 11 to July 19, 2026, with 104 matches.

The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially hit the 100-day mark on March 3, 2026, with a dazzling celebration in New York City. The iconic Empire State Building was illuminated in the national colors of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, rotating through the vibrant hues of the host nations. This spectacular display, visible across the cityscape, signaled the escalating excitement for the first-ever 48-team tournament hosted by three countries.

A host of dignitaries and beloved mascots gathered for the milestone event. Among the attendees were Alex Lasry, CEO of the FIFA World Cup 2026 New York-New Jersey Host Committee, JT Batson, CEO and secretary general of the U.S. Soccer Federation, and Peter Augruso, President of Canada Soccer. The official tournament mascots—Maple the Moose from Canada, Zayu the Jaguar representing Mexico, and Clutch the Bald Eagle for the United States—were also on hand to greet fans and amplify the festive atmosphere.

Beyond the illuminated skyscraper, the celebration included the unveiling of the official FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament poster and the activation of a new countdown clock. The poster, a collaborative effort by Canadian illustrator Carson Ting, Mexican artist Minerva GM, and American conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas, celebrates the unity and diversity of the host nations. The countdown clock, located at The Shops at Columbus Circle in New York City, joins others synchronized in Mexico City's Zócalo and Vancouver's Harbour Square, building anticipation for the tournament's kickoff on June 11, 2026, and its final match at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.