The biggest football matches ever held at MetLife Stadium ahead of England vs Panama at the World Cup

Since opening in 2010 as the replacement for Giants Stadium, MetLife Stadium has become one of the premier football venues in the United States.

From international friendlies featuring some of the world's biggest nations to El Clasico, the FIFA Club World Cup final and now the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 82,500-capacity stadium has become a regular destination for football's biggest occasions.

Now it takes centre stage once again. MetLife has and will host several World Cup matches, including England's crucial Group L clash with Panama, before staging the biggest fixture of them all – the 2026 World Cup Final.

Ahead of England's visit, FootballGroundGuide takes a look at the biggest matches ever played at MetLife Stadium.

Mexico 0-0 Ecuador (2010 Friendly)

A crowd of 77,507 witnessed the first international football match at the newly opened MetLife Stadium on 7 May 2010, as Mexico and Ecuador played out a goalless draw in front of more than 77,000 fans.

The match itself was largely uneventful, but its importance lay in what it represented. It was the beginning of MetLife’s journey as a major football venue capable of attracting huge crowds and major national teams.

Argentina 4-3 Brazil (2012 Friendly)

If the Mexico–Ecuador opener hinted at the stadium’s potential, then Argentina vs Brazil confirmed it.

On 9 June 2012, nearly 82,000 fans watched Lionel Messi produce one of his great international performances, scoring a hat-trick in a wild 4–3 win over Brazil.

The fixture felt different from the typical summer friendly. Brazil and Argentina remain two of the few national teams capable of drawing such a crowd, even when competing directly with major European Championship fixtures.

Trinidad & Tobago 1-1 Panama | Mexico 1-0 Costa Rica (2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarter-Finals)

On 19 July 2015, MetLife Stadium hosted two Gold Cup quarter-finals, marking its first involvement in the business end of a major international tournament.

Panama edged Trinidad & Tobago on penalties after a 1–1 draw, before Mexico defeated Costa Rica 1–0 in the second match of the double‑header.

The day cemented MetLife’s reputation as a venue capable of handling high‑stakes tournament football.

Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid (2024 Friendly)

On 3 August 2024, MetLife Stadium hosted a preseason edition of El Clasico, and it certainly delivered.

Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 in front of 82,154 fans, with Pau Victor unexpectedly stealing the show by scoring both goals for La Blaugrana.

Even as a friendly, the fixture demonstrated the stadium’s ability to attract the biggest club brands in world football and fill every seat.

Chelsea 3-0 Paris Saint‑Germain (2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final)

MetLife Stadium was one of 12 venues selected for the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and it staged the final. A warm-up for this summer's World Cup, no doubt.

Chelsea produced a superb performance to beat European champions Paris Saint‑Germain 3–0 in front of 81,118 supporters, with Cole Palmer scoring twice and assisting a brilliant third for Joao Pedro.

It was a landmark moment for the stadium, as it hosted the decisive match of a major global club competition, watched by millions around the world.