New Orleans among 41 cities to bid for 2026 FIFA World Cup hosting duties

CHICAGO – Forty-one cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States have submitted bids to serve as Official Host Cities in the United Bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup^TM. The United Bid Committee will review all bid submissions and release an initial shortlist of cities later this Fall.

The United Bid Committee started its outreach to potential host cities by sending Requests for Information to 44 cities in July. Today’s bid submissions mark 41 cities’ official declaration of interest to be included in the final bid that will be sent to FIFA by March 16, 2018.

A list of the bidding cities and venues can be found at the bottom of this release.

“The Host Cities will help define the United Bid. Each will offer the best facilities and infrastructure to stage the world’s biggest single-event sporting competition, the FIFA World Cup, and together they will play a key role in the development of the sport in North America,” United Bid Committee Executive Director John Kristick said. “We’re thrilled with the submissions that we have received, especially each city’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, and we look forward to bringing the best group of candidate host cities together for our official United Bid.”

After the initial shortlist is released, the Bid Committee will provide more detailed bid information to cities and hold meetings to discuss questions as candidate cities prepare their final bids. Twenty to 25 cities will be included in the final bid to FIFA. If the United Bid is selected to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup^TM, subject to FIFA’s determination, it’s expected that at least 12 locations could ultimately serve as Official Host Cities.

Cities not selected to host matches may be involved with the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ in other ways. Those cities, including those not submitting bids to serve as Official Host Cities, could be selected as the location for the International Broadcast Center, host Team Base Camps, or host other major events such as the Preliminary or Final Draw.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ will be the first tournament with the expanded 48-team format and will require world-class facilities and infrastructure. Canada, Mexico and the United States are uniquely suited to accommodate FIFA’s high-level standards for hosting a FIFA World Cup™.

The 41 cities represent diverse geographical regions across the three countries and a wide spectrum of facilities, including stadiums for soccer and American football, as well as domed and retractable roof facilities. All stadiums are required to have at least 40,000 seats for group stage matches, and a capacity of at least 80,000 to be considered for the Opening Match and the Final.

The submitted bids provide information about each city’s experience hosting major sporting and cultural events, potential venues, transportation infrastructure, available accommodations, environmental protection initiatives and more.

In addition to a stadium capable of hosting international soccer, each city must propose top international-level training sites and locations for team base camps as well as hotels for teams, staff and VIP’s. The Bid Committee will also evaluate cities on their commitment to sustainable event management, aspirations to develop soccer, and the positive social impact they anticipate stemming from the event in the local community and beyond.

FIFA established a deadline of August 11 for Member Associations to express their interest to bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Morocco declared its intention to bid on this date. Both candidates must now submit their proposals for consideration by FIFA, with a decision to be taken at the FIFA Congress next June.

The United Bid Committee kicked off its efforts in July by announcing the Board of Directors and the executive leadership team that includes Executive Director John Kristick, Managing Director of Technical Operations Jim Brown, Canada Bid Director Peter Montopoli, who is Canada Soccer General Secretary, and Mexico Bid Director Yon De Luisa, who is a Televisa Vice President.

The United Bid Committee’s Board of Directors includes Sunil Gulati (Chairman), Steven Reed (Canada), Peter Montopoli (Canada), Decio De Maria (Mexico), Guillermo Cantu (Mexico), Carlos Cordeiro (USA), Donna Shalala (USA), Dan Flynn (USA), Don Garber (USA), Carlos Bocanegra (USA), Julie Foudy (USA), Ed Foster-Simeon (USA) and Victor Montagliani (CONCACAF). Legendary sports executive Robert Kraft has been appointed as Honorary Chairman of the Board.

The three nations have hosted a combined 13 FIFA World Cups (men’s, women and youth), more than any other trio of geographically-connected nations, and set attendance records for five of those events.