[Source: FIFA] A significant milestone on the road to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ was reached tonight as the 16 Host Cities that are due to stage matches at the first edition of football’s showpiece to feature 48 teams were unveiled by FIFA. The highly anticipated announcement was made on a TV show produced in cooperation with FOX and Telemundo from New York and broadcast live to host countries Canada, Mexico and the USA, as well as the whole world via FIFA+.

Today’s announcement follows the most transparent and comprehensive bidding process in football history, with FIFA’s decision having been made in the best interests of the game, taking into consideration the needs of all stakeholders involved in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“We congratulate the 16 FIFA World Cup Host Cities on their outstanding commitment and passion. Today is a historic day – for everyone in those cities and states, for FIFA, for Canada, the USA and Mexico who will put on the greatest show on Earth. We look forward to working together with them to deliver what will be an unprecedented FIFA World Cup and a game-changer as we strive to make football truly global,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“We were delighted by the unparalleled competitiveness of this selection process. We are extremely grateful not only to the 16 cities that have been selected, but also to the other six – with whom we look forward to continuing to engage and explore additional opportunities to welcome fans and participating teams. This has always been a FIFA World Cup of three countries, and that undoubtedly will have a tremendous impact on the whole region and the wider football community,” added FIFA Vice President and Concacaf President Victor Montagliani.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Ciites:

Atlanta

Boston

Dallas

Guadalajara

Houston

Kansas City

Los Angeles

Mexico City

Miami

Monterrey

New York / New Jersey

Philadelphia

San Francisco Bay Area

Seattle

Toronto

Vancouver

[Source: Explore Edmonton] The City of Edmonton has today confirmed its full support for ambitions to host matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

The news comes with the formal signing of an agreement with FIFA, the final step in the process of FIFA’s Official Host City selection. The agreement includes investment guarantees irrespective of FIFA’s allocation of matches, and a shortlist of firms to assist with the advancement of facilities at the stadium and training facilities.

An announcement by FIFA on the host cities is set to be made on 16 June in New York, completing a thorough two-year process. For Edmonton, this included a visit by FIFA delegates in November 2021, during which the city hosted Canada’s FIFA World Cup 2022™ qualification match against Mexico, selling over 51,000 tickets despite winter temperatures of -9˚ Celsius.

Edmonton is one of three Canadian cities awaiting confirmation as a host city, alongside Toronto and Vancouver. Should FIFA decide to allocate host cities according to the United 2026 bid, all three would become host cities, along with three in Mexico and ten in the United States.

The City’s ambition to become a 2026 host city also enjoys vast local support, with public surveys showing a 93% favourability for the event. Community and business leaders have also been an active part of the process, including via the FIFA Champions Committee, which advises and promotes the work of the candidature. The Committee is chaired by Chief Billy Morin, chief of the Enoch Cree Nation, which forms an especially key part of Edmonton’s candidature given the city’s location on Treaty Six territory.

Edmonton has successfully hosted a range of FIFA tournaments in the past, including the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship 2002, the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2007, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2014 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015. With such experience, the city has shown unwavering commitment throughout the 2026 process.

Upon signature of the final documents, Traci Bednard, CEO of Explore Edmonton, said: “We are more excited than ever by the partnership between FIFA and the City of Edmonton. We have had tremendous experiences in hosting FIFA tournaments in the past, not only in delivering great matches and events, but also in inspiring future generations of soccer players and fans. In 2026, Edmonton will be ready to deliver once again.”

In a recent interview with Inside World Football, Canadian soccer player Alphonso Davies, who grew up in Edmonton, said: “Whenever an international soccer event has come to Edmonton, people have supported the events very well. Edmonton is a beautiful, diverse place, and I have no doubt they will accept the rest of the world exactly how they accepted me and my family when we moved here. Edmonton has some great facilities and there are a lot of things happening in the city, especially in the summer seasons.”

More information of the vision of Edmonton’s plans for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ can be seen via their website here.

Register for Host City Americas, online on 29th June, for free here: https://www.hostcity.com/events/host-city-americas/register

With a decision due soon on which cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, I am confident that if Houston has the honor of being selected as a host city, we are 100% ready to provide a world-class experience for players, officials and fans. Why? Because we’ve hosted more major sporting events than any other candidate host city since 2004, including two Super Bowls, two NCAA Final Fours and multiple NBA, MLB, and MLS All-Star Games.

Our state-of-the-art venues and facilities, including the 70,000-plus seat NRG Stadium, which boasts a retractable roof, have successfully hosted some of the biggest teams in soccer. FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Manchester United, have all come through Houston and praised the incredible noise and passion from the soccer community here – including legendary soccer manager Sir Alex Ferguson who, when speaking about the 2010 MLS All-Star Game at Houston’s NRG Stadium, said, “Houston was an amazing venue; to my mind the 70,000 supporters inside the stadium had an electrifying effect on all of us.”

The NRG Stadium has averaged 60,000 attendees for over 20 international events featuring national soccer teams since 2003 – so I have no doubt that a World Cup in Houston in 2026 would be a truly global festival of soccer for the whole family to enjoy. In fact, hosting the most prestigious sporting event in the world will not only grow the game in Houston, but it will also serve as a catalyst for the significant growth of soccer across the region. It would also generate significant and lasting benefits for the community.

Recently ranked as the third-fastest growing tech ecosystem for early-stage companies in the US, according to a study, we’re bringing things to the table that only Houston can deliver to help advance the game of soccer.

Houston is home to some of the brightest and most industrious minds in the world. And we don’t do anything halfway, from being home to the world’s largest medical center, to planning large scale missions to outer space, we can accomplish anything here. That’s why we’ve harnessed the unique Spirit of Houston and its vast innovation resources to create a non-profit institution called the Soccer Innovation Institute.

The Soccer Innovation Institute will carry out the city’s legacy vision around the 2026 FIFA World Cup and serve to advance the game globally. It’s our way of saying that not only are we invested and committed to hosting an incredible series of games for fans all over the world for 32 days, but we’re here to leave a lasting impact in the community that will be recognized for generations to come.

As the fourth largest city in the US, with more than 145 languages spoken, over 20 ethnic and racial groups represented, we hope to have the opportunity to invite the world to join us in what would be a truly global celebration of soccer.

[Source: Bay Area 2026 Host Committee] Over the weekend, the Bay Area 2026 Host Committee successfully completed its scheduled visit from the FIFA host city inspection delegation as part of the continued efforts to bring the FIFA World Cup 2026 to the Bay Area. Making its first and only in-person visit to the Bay Area ahead of the official host city selection announcement expected in early 2022, the delegation consisted of nearly 30 international football executives from FIFA, Concacaf, U.S. Soccer, and the Canadian Soccer Association. FIFA’s delegation was led by Concacaf President and FIFA Vice-President Victor Montagliani and FIFA Chief Tournaments & Events Officer Colin Smith.

Led by Bay Area 2026 Board President and San Francisco 49ers President Al Guido, Bay Area 2026 Executive Director Patricia Ernstrom, an esteemed group of California and Bay Area leaders made a direct pitch to FIFA about the benefits of including the Bay Area among the expected 16 host cities to be announced from across Canada, Mexico, and the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The leadership group who personally participated in the presentation to FIFA on Friday included California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, two-time FIFA World Cup champion Brandi Chastain, and ownership representatives from multiple Bay Area professional sports teams. The presentation also included video messages from California Governor and former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Bay Area 2026 Honorary Chair Condoleezza Rice, as well as a hype video featuring a voiceover by Chastain.

“The Bay Area 2026 committee was honored to host these two gentlemen and their delegation and have the opportunity to make our case to bring the world's largest tournament to the San Francisco Bay Area and Levi's Stadium. I'm unbelievably proud of the support we have received from throughout the state of California,” said Al Guido. “Having the three mayors of our large cities – San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland – participate in our presentation demonstrated the strong support we have received throughout the nine counties of the Bay Area. Led by our honorary chair, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, we have tremendous leadership in this community, both in the public sector and in the private sector.”

As announced last week, the Bay Area 2026 Host Committee and San Francisco 49ers were joined by Bay Area businesses like Airbnb, Coinbase, Cruise, Google, Levi’s, Lyft, Peet’s Coffee, Salesforce, SAP, and VISA to showcase the wide-ranging support from innovative and forward-thinking leaders across the region.

“The Bay Area 2026 Host Committee stands on the shoulders of 10 Bay Area companies alongside the 49ers to join our starting 11,” said Patricia Ernstrom, Bay Area 2026 Executive Director. “They are our starting 11 because our effort to build the necessary private support for this event is just getting started. Staging an event like this requires tremendous private support and there are 38 Fortune 500 companies in the Bay Area, representing nearly 2 million employees and $11 trillion in market cap. We truly believe we are ready to be selected as one of the hosts for FIFA World Cup 2026.”

On Saturday, a tour of Levi’s Stadium – the premier outdoor sports and entertainment venue on the West Coast and award-winning home of the 49ers – highlighted the final day of the FIFA inspection visit. In alignment with FIFA’s priorities, the tour focused on the facilities specific to player performance such as the locker rooms, pitch, and related infrastructure. Already providing a high-quality natural grass playing surface, Levi’s Stadium management has confirmed their intent to work with FIFA on implementing their new pitch profile in advance of potential matches in 2026. Beyond the stadium, other stops included key locations where FIFA events – such as team training sites, team base camp locations, FIFA Fan Fests – could be held from Oakland to San Francisco to San Jose to Santa Clara.

“It is an important thing that our incentives are aligned with FIFA as it pertains to the pitch and player health and safety,” said Al Guido. “We've hosted international soccer matches, which do not let you play on a turf surface. We all know grass surfaces are healthier than turf surfaces and that’s the reason why we make the investment to have one of the best, not just in the Bay Area, but within the NFL.”

Earlier this year, Levi’s Stadium participated in a FIFA Infrastructure Workshop which examined the venue’s feasibility of hosting FIFA World Cup matches. The stadium passed with flying colors due to a history of hosting other large-scale events including Super Bowl 50, the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, 2016 Copa América Centenario, 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, and multiple International Champions Cups. Plus, thanks to being in the heart of Silicon Valley’s innovation landscape, the stadium boasts ground-breaking technology that pushes the fan experience to a new level. Now completely cashless, the stadium also offers the world’s first-ever fully integrated 8K video replay system and world-class Wi-Fi infrastructure.

The Bay Area 2026 Host Committee also made a point of showcasing the rich Bay Area history of hosting major soccer events dating back to FIFA World Cup 1994 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 1999. The region’s diverse communities, residents, and culture were also celebrated as factors in support of its suitability to host the event, along with its consistently temperate climate that is especially beneficial to sport in June and July – the months in which FIFA World Cup would take place.

For additional information about the Bay Area bid, please visit bayarea2026.com.

[Orlando, Florida] Al Kidd, President & CEO of Sports ETA, the international association for the sports events and tourism industry, is one of a several influential voices hailing Orlando’s rapidly recovering tourism industry and identifying sport as a key driver.

“As we emerge from the restrictions and challenges of the pandemic and return to business, great cities like Orlando are poised to recover faster than others. Sports events and sports tourism in Orlando have shown to be the re-entry catalyst, generating new and much needed business”, he said.

Jesse Martinez, General Manager at The Alfond Inn, Chairman of the Central Florida Lodging Association Board of Directors, and Board Member at Visit Florida, agrees. “In my opinion, Central Florida has a tremendous head start on all other major city travel destinations. After seeing a huge influx of travelers this past spring break, we have not slowed down since.” 

“Sports tourism was an early bright spot when Orlando began to reopen in the summer of 2020 as we hosted the NBA bubble, the MLS is Back Tournament and youth events such as the AAU’s Jr.  National Volleyball Championship,” said Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, who echoed the sentiments of Jesse Martinez by saying that “Orlando has a one-year head start”.  

To underline this, the 2021 edition of the same AAU Youth Volleyball event - hosted just a few weeks ago - drew over 130,000 participants and visitors.  Mark Tester, Executive Director at the Orange County Convention Center said: “The event drove one of our highest food and beverage totals in the Center’s history.”

Don Welsh, President and CEO of Destinations International, added: “All eyes were on Orlando during the pandemic as the NBA and MLS restarted their seasons. It was impressive to watch their collaborative community come together to host in the most trying of circumstances.”  

Orlando believes its emphasis on encouraging sports-related travel and welcoming teams and players has been a game-changing factor in keeping its infrastructure ticking over.

“When business travel collapsed, some cities were saved by their youth and amateur sport travel business” said Jason Siegel, CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “There is no doubt in my mind that sports tourism is a viable pathway for generating visitor spending and promoting a destination – which is why Orlando puts such a high priority on it”.

In normal times, Orlando has the largest tourism industry in the USA, producing $26 billion a year, exceeding Las Vegas with $19 million. One in five workers in Orlando (21%) worked directly in hospitality and leisure in 2019. When COVID-19 struck, the unemployment rate skyrocketed. “Our neighbors at Port Canaveral, who derive significant revenue from the cruise industry, lost 43% of their workforce,” said Siegel.

But as life normalizes, the recovery is swift, much more so than many anticipated. Hotels are taking bookings; forward occupancy is very promising and optimism abounds.

According to a study authored by Adam Sacks of Tourism Economics, hotel room demand overall has reached 89% of 2019 figures and air passengers are at 71% (June 2021). Leisure trips will be nearly back to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, although business will take longer. He has said: “Overall, sports are outperforming the market as youth sports have returned well before other business-related events. In fact, we are hearing from clients that sports have been the star performer in what has been an otherwise dismal market”

Orlando, one of 17 US candidate host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, is hoping to be selected for the final 10. “I believe our reputation as a collaborative tourism community and reliable partner to sport – and our popularity as a destination – suggest we surely deserve a place” Siegel summed up.

[Source: City of Edmonton] The City of Edmonton has announced a comprehensive and growing level of public support for their candidature to be a host city of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, taking place in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Collated feedback from surveys conducted in 2018 and 2020 show an increased level of public support for the hosting. Edmonton is one of three Canadian cities included in the United bid, alongside Montreal and Toronto, with the city’s Commonwealth Stadium having a capacity of 56,400 and located just minutes from the city centre.

Among the results, the surveys showed a 77% support among Edmonton residents for the hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, an increase of 6% from 2018, with prime reasons for support being the economic boost (40%), exposure for the city (32%), and benefits for tourism (21%). More than 1,200 residents were randomly recruited for the survey, while an additional open-link survey was completed by more than 3,700 residents, showing an increased level of 93% favourability for the hosting (up from 89% in 2018).

The release of the survey data has provided an extra boost to the city’s aspirations to be confirmed as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and serves as a positive reinforcement of its commitment to driving the recovery of sporting events following the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, Edmonton has played a leading role in North America in continuing to provide a platform for sports events, hosting events such as the NHL Stanley Cup Finals and the IIHF Junior World Championships, and receiving widespread praise for their handling of such occasions in a secure and safe environment.

On the surveys, Janelle Janis, Director of Edmonton Events said, “It is great to see public support for our hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ continue to grow. In Edmonton, we have had fantastic experiences of hosting FIFA events, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2014, the FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup in 2007, and the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship in 2002, and we are incredibly excited for this next step. As these surveys help to show, we will be ready to welcome the world in 2026. With Edmonton, FIFA can truly expect the best.”

With FIFA’s final confirmation of host cities expected to be later this year, today Edmonton has launched their website for its 2026 candidature, to provide information about the city’s vision for hosting the World Cup, and to keep followers up to date with news. The website is available to view here.

Janelle Janis is speaking at Host City Americas online on 29-30 June - register here

[Source: Greater Orlando Sports Commission] The FIFA 2026 World Cup™ candidate city of Orlando will play host to some of the biggest names in international soccer following the announcement of a series of world class matches to be hosted in the city.

Orlando’s Camping World Stadium has been chosen as the venue for the 2021 Florida Cup featuring 2020 FA Cup winners Arsenal, Everton from the English Premier League and this year’s Italian Serie A champions Inter Milan, alongside Millonarios FC, the all- conquering Colombian team.

“We are so happy to be able to bring such a powerful international lineup to Orlando as we connect Europe and South America once again at this summer’s event," Florida Cup CEO Ricardo Villar said. "We look forward to delivering an outstanding training experience for our participating clubs, while also providing an exciting week of action and entertainment to local fans and club supporters in Central Florida for the festivities.”

The festival of football will take place on 25th and 28th July. Tickets went on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 3.

The news adds to the buzz around Orlando’s “Summer of Soccer”, which also sees the city playing host to international matches of the prestigious CONCACAF Gold Cup, also in July.

Jason Siegel, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission said: “It’s turning into an incredible year for soccer in Orlando and we are pleased and proud that organisers - including CONCACAF, US Soccer and Florida Cup - are recognising this and putting their trust in us. We will deliver a great experience for players and fans alike.”

Mikel Arteta, the Manager of Arsenal FC praised the choice of venue: “We’re very pleased to see our pre-season plans ramping up with the announcement of our trip to the United States to take part in the Florida Cup. The tournament features three good sides that will provide strong opposition, and the training and matchday facilities in Orlando will provide a first-class environment for our preparations for next season.”

Giuseppe Marotta, CEO Sport, FC Internazionale Milano said: “We couldn’t be happier to add a pair of Florida Cup fixtures to our training schedule as we continue our Scudetto celebrations in the U.S. along with our first team. The entire club is excited for the upcoming trip to Orlando for a challenging pair of matches, and the organization is eager for the opportunity to celebrate alongside our many American supporters.”

Enrique Camacho, President, Millonarios FC said: “We are incredibly excited to play in this year’s Florida Cup alongside three of Europe’s most recognizable and accomplished teams, including Everton and stars James Rodriguez and Yerry Mina. It is a fitting challenge and a momentous occasion as we celebrate 75 years of history in Colombia, and we are hungry to compete in front of our fans in Orlando.”

Orlando established itself as the “go to” venue for top flight football during the recent Covid pandemic, where 24 MLS teams were able to meet and compete in perfect safety, across 51 matches and 34 days of soccer.

As spectators return to live sport, Orlando has been awarded six matches of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, to be played as three double-headers on the 12/16/20 July in Orlando’s purpose-built Exploria Stadium, the home of Orlando City SC.

There were more than 40 bids from major markets across the United States interested in hosting the region’s most prestigious soccer tournament. Orlando is one of only seven cities selected.

Baltimore-Maryland’s 2026 World Cup Host City bid has today revealed its new brand identity and logo as its bid to host FIFA 2026 World Cup matches continues to build momentum.

Reflecting Baltimore-Maryland's diverse communities and with close connections to the history of the city itself, the new brand identity embodies key aspects of the bid’s commitment to prioritizing diversity and inclusion and representing individuals from across the city and state.

The new branding and logo include references to the iconic "colors of Baltimore", depicted in the "Painted Ladies" row homes of Northern Baltimore City, which have become synonymous with the vibrant neighborhoods of Baltimore-Maryland.

Featuring local iconography, including the "Hon Playing Soccer", Pink Flamingo and Blue-Green Crab, the Baltimore-Maryland 2026 branding symbolizes the bid’s deep connections to the local culture:

• "Hon Playing Soccer"

Depicting a woman with a beehive hairstyle, the Baltimore “Hon'' pays tribute to the women of Baltimore’s working-class communities in the 1950s and 1960s and represents the people of Baltimore-Maryland’s originality and creativity.

"Hon'' is a person, a quintessential term of endearment in Baltimore’s regional dialect and the inspiration for the local arts and cultural festival, “Hon Fest''. The festival takes place in the city’s Hampden community and is widely accepted as one of the most welcoming and accepting places for the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S.

• Pink Flamingo

Deeply connected to Greater Baltimore’s artistic community and Baltimore Club Music, the Pink Flamingo can be found everywhere from neighborhood front yards to huge statues across the city. As the community has transformed from a manufacturing and shipping port to a hub for the next generation of artists and creatives, the Pink Flamingo has remained a constant icon of the local area.

• Blue-Green Crab

Blue Crab is a staple of Maryland, and represents the state’s hospitality and culinary community, as well as its natural resources, harbor, waterways, and efforts towards sustainability and minimizing environmental impact.  

Local Baltimore advertising agency, TBC, designed the new brand aligning with Baltimore-Maryland 2026's commitment to showcasing local businesses at the heart of the bid and using FIFA 2026 World Cup matches to transform and regenerate the city and state.

Terrance Hasseltine, President of Baltimore-Maryland 2026 and Executive Director of Maryland Sports Commission, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be launching our new brand identity and logo for Baltimore-Maryland 2026. Representing every aspect of our diverse local communities is hugely important for us, especially as hosting matches at the FIFA 2026 World Cup would create a tremendous positive impact for both our city and state.

“TBC is a valued partner who has helped us capture Baltimore-Maryland's unique and treasured history and distinct visual identity, and we are embracing this and incorporating it into every aspect of our bid. Baltimore’s “Hons”, Pink Flamingos and Blue-Green Crab are synonymous with our communities and we’re ready to welcome the world with our famed hospitality.”

Bill Ward, Executive Vice President, TBC, said: “As a Day One supporter of Baltimore-Maryland 2026 and a proud local business, it is a privilege to have worked with the BMD 2026 team on the bid’s brand identity and logo update, which uniquely reflects our city’s vibrant and inclusive culture. Incorporating the Baltimore Colors and unique icons, the new branding brings to life the bid’s vision of creating a real, tangible human legacy for our local communities.

“TBC has been part of the Baltimore-Maryland 2026 journey from the start and to be helping to bring the FIFA 2026 World Cup to our city and state for the very first time is a huge opportunity.”

[Source: Baltimore-Maryland 2026 World Cup Host Destination Delegation]

[Source: Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee] Houston’s bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been boosted by the news that Houston will host multiple 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Matches at the city’s state-of-the-art BBVA Stadium and NRG Stadium.

Houston is one of only seven metropolitan markets selected to host matches in the 2021 edition of the tournament, with the BBVA Stadium and NRG Stadium two of the ten host venues. The decision comes on the back of Houston being awarded the right to host the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships, which will be the first time the event has been held in the United States.

The awarding of these two major international events highlights the confidence international sports bodies have in Houston’s sports hosting credentials. Houston has a proven track record in delivering world-class soccer and sport events. The BBVA Stadium has featured in every edition of the Gold Cup since it began in 2012 and the NRG Stadium has played host to some of the most well-attended matches in the tournament’s history, including a sold-out quarterfinal doubleheader in 2019.

Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee President Chris Canetti, said: “This is great news and I commend Harris County – Houston Sports Authority and all those involved in successfully bringing these fantastic events to our city. Houston is a soccer-loving city with a proud Gold Cup history and I am sure will do a fantastic job in hosting the tournament.

“Being awarded Gold Cup matches, alongside the World Table Tennis Championships, is further evidence that Houston has what it takes to host major international sports events. It is a helpful step towards our ultimate objective of becoming a host city for the world’s greatest single sport’s event - the FIFA World Cup. Houston has a proven track record in successfully delivering world-class international sports events and providing the ultimate environment for athletes to perform at their best.”

The 2021 Gold Cup will officially kick off with a new Preliminary Round where 12 nations who qualified through their CONCACAF Nations League performances will compete for the final three spots in the 16 team Gold Cup Group Stage. The Round One and Two Prelims matchups were drawn on September 10, 2020. The Group Stage will kick off on July 10, and the Final will be played on August 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, the 2021 World Table Tennis is scheduled to take place November 23-29 at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, The tournament will see a total of 128 world’s best athletes in singles, and 64 pairs in doubles, compete and have a reach of over 500 million viewers globally across TV and digital platforms.

Houston 2026 continues to take steps forward to set itself apart in the field of 17 U.S. cities bidding to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Houston has hosted more large-scale sporting events than any other candidate host city since 2004, including two Super Bowls and two NCAA Final Fours.

Houston’s state-of-the-art NRG Stadium, recognized as the “Best Football Crowd in America” in 2008, has hosted several International Champions Cup matches and dozens of international soccer fixtures. 

FIFA is expected to decide on the 10 U.S. host cities in late-2021 and is currently holding one-on-one discussions with each bid city. Houston 2026 is confident that the city’s tried and tested experience will provide an unmatched player and fan experience and deliver thrilling atmospheres at 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.

Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee officials will meet with FIFA and US Soccer representatives today (Wednesday March 10) to showcase their plans for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“We are excited for the opportunity to engage with FIFA and US Soccer and discuss Houston’s unmatched operational readiness to host World Cup matches in 2026,” said Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee president, Chris Canetti.

The virtual meeting will focus the NRG Stadium, where World Cup matches would be held.

“We are fortunate to have such a world-class facility as part of our amazing network of infrastructure. NRG Stadium is a key element to the bid, and we are eager to show how the stadium can seamlessly deliver for FIFA as it has done time-and-time again for other major events,” Canetti said.

The bid team say the city has hosted more large-scale sporting events than any other candidate host city since 2004. The NRG Stadium, home to the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock & Rodeo Show, has hosted two Super Bowls, two NCAA Final Fours, Copa America Centenario. NRG will host the 2023 Final Four and the 2024 College Football Playoff. It has regularly hosted the Concacaf Gold Cup and matches involving the Mexican National Team. Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Real Madrid have recently played at NRG Stadium.

As the fourth largest city in the US, with seven million people, Houston would be the biggest US city hosting the 2026 World Cup within the city limits.

The Houston delegation also includes Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee chairman, John Arnold, consultant, John Kristick, Mark Miller, general manager of NRG Park, Ryan Walsh, executive director of the Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. – NRG Park, David Fletcher, executive director of Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, and Dan Bergstrom, the director of turf & grounds for BBVA Stadium.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played in 16 cities across the US, Mexico, and Canada. Houston is one of 17 US cities vying to host World Cup matches in 2026. FIFA is expected to select 10 US host cities, with a final decision coming in late 2021.