The 2026 World Cup

[Critch]

World Cup 2026: Canada, US & Mexico joint bid wins right to host tournament

Haven't seen anywhere confirming the split, but it seems to be:

Group Games

7 each in Canada and Mexico, US have the rest

Round of 32

2 each in Canada and Mexico, US have the rest

Round of 16

1 each in Canada and Mexico, US have the rest

Quarter-finals onwards in US

[NobodyHere]

I wonder how much the bribes were this time around.

[Critch]

It was down to the US/Mexico/Canada bid or Morocco, so probably not too much.

[albionmoonlight]

Does the host country get a free entry into the tournament? If so, who is the host country?

[Critch]

Apparently it's undecided. Either all three will get entry, or all three will have to go through qualifying.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Critch

It was down to the US/Mexico/Canada bid or Morocco, so probably not too much.

And it was a completely new way of deciding the hosting - every FA got a vote rather than just the executive council voting.

[nilodor]

Originally Posted by Critch

Apparently it's undecided. Either all three will get entry, or all three will have to go through qualifying.

I can't see them risking not having the US in the tourney, which is awesome because that's the only way Canada is going to make it unless they expand Concacaf's # to like 10.

[stevew]

Can't they just add a 9th group and take the 9 winners and top 7 2nd place teams?

[AlexB]

Originally Posted by nilodor

I can't see them risking not having the US in the tourney, which is awesome because that's the only way Canada is going to make it unless they expand Concacaf's # to like 10.

Remember the World Cup will have expanded by then so that everybody qualifies except Narnia and Middle Earth

[Arles]

Originally Posted by Critch

Apparently it's undecided. Either all three will get entry, or all three will have to go through qualifying.

So, there are 23 sites for the games: 17 are in the US, 3 are in Mexico and 3 are in Canada. Seems like we could solve the mystery of which country should get the exemption.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Does the host country get a free entry into the tournament? If so, who is the host country?

that shouldn't be a problem. The format is extended to 48 final tournament teams in 2026. Giving all three direct entry leaves enough room for 45 more teams (for example 20 from Europe, all 7 from South America, New Zealand (or another Oceania team), 7 from Africa, 7 from Asia and 3 more from the rest of concacaf.)

[Critch]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

that shouldn't be a problem. The format is extended to 48 final tournament teams in 2026. Giving all three direct entry leaves enough room for 45 more teams (for example 20 from Europe, all 7 from South America, New Zealand (or another Oceania team), 7 from Africa, 7 from Asia and 3 more from the rest of concacaf.)

The qualifiers are going to be 9 from Africa, 8 from Asia, 6 from South America and 16 from Europe. It's a lot more about giving Africa and Asia more world cup places and cash than it is about improving the competition.

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Critch

The qualifiers are going to be 9 from Africa, 8 from Asia, 6 from South America and 16 from Europe. It's a lot more about giving Africa and Asia more world cup places and cash than it is about improving the competition.

thanks.
I didn't realize they went way ahead of things this time and already announced the distribution of slots.

[ntndeacon]

Host nations will take spots from their confederation. So assuming all three hosts do get automatic bids, CONCACAF should get 3 more teams in.

[RainMaker]

I'm thinking it might be best to just let all 3 in. US and Mexico are locks to get in with 6 teams qualifying.

The question is about whether Canada deserves it. They're probably the 7th or 8th best team in CONCACAF so it's not a sure thing they'd qualify. But I think it would be weird for them to host and not have their team in. Plus I think it'd be good for the entire region to have Canada in and perhaps see their country's program grow.

I don't have a problem with the World Cup expanding. Was hoping for 40 teams instead of 48, but I can live with either. It should be a place for most countries to have a big stage to play on. My issue is with the 16 groups of 3. I know it was done to reduce the number of games, but it's such a small margin of error. You'd think they could play more games in the group stage with the fact that qualifying will be cut so much.

[QuikSand]

The June 22 ep of The Daily podcast from the failing NYT covers the Russia bid to get the 2018 World Cup.

Hooray! Something to listen to that isn't all wrapped up with presidential politics and all these related shady characters.

Oh, wait...

[PilotMan]

Wth Quick? Who has time to listen to a podcast? I expect the full rundown from you! None of this carrot and stick to get me to listen. I need info, from a credible source (you) fed to me!

[QuikSand]

Spoiler: there may be some corruption involved with Russia

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Spoiler: there may be some corruption involved with Russia

First corruption to get the Olympics and now the World Cup? It's like nobody ever thought this is actually what was going on. And I'm honestly still surprised they're going to play in Qatar in 2022 for the same reasons.



"Yeah we know you got it with a crapload of payoffs, but we're totally never going to do that again, and it's still cool that you won, so go ahead and keep it."

[PilotMan]

https://wapo.st/39tswI4
host cities, paywall removed

Cincinnati didn't make the cut. BOOOOOOOOO!

[Solecismic]

I think we've been flown over...


World Cup Sites

West Coast

Los Angeles
San Francisco
Seattle
Vancouver

Northeast

Boston
New York
Philadelphia

South/Southeast

Atlanta
Dallas
Houston
Miami

"Other"

Kansas City
Toronto


MLS Metro Areas not hosting World Cup
(adding distance to nearest host site)

"Other"

Charlotte (Atlanta, 226 miles)
Chicago (Kansas City, 412 miles)
Cincinnati (Atlanta, 370 miles)
Columbus (Toronto, 316 miles)
Denver (Kansas City, 557 miles)
Minneapolis (Kansas City, 411 miles)
Montreal (Boston, 250 miles)
Nashville (Atlanta, 215 miles)
Salt Lake City (San Francisco, 599 miles)
St. Louis (Kansas City, 238 miles)

Northeast

Washington (Philadelphia, 123 miles)

South/Southeast

Austin (Houston, 146 miles)
Orlando (Miami, 204 miles)

West Coast

Portland (Seattle, 173 miles)

[Lathum]

Going to try and hit a game for sure. Would have liked to see portland get a site. They are great fans up there.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Quite of few a those not included didn't submit a bid, several others (including Chicago & Minneapolis) dropped out citing FIFA's financial demands.

Four U.S. cities were cut in the previous round (Charlotte, North Carolina; Las Vegas; Salt Lake City; and Tampa, Florida.)

That left today picking from 16 U.S. sites still in the running
Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Boston (Gillette Stadium)
Cincinnati (Paul Brown Stadium)
Dallas (AT&T Stadium)
Denver (Empower Field at Mile High)
Houston (NRG Stadium)
Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)
Los Angeles (Rose Bowl or SoFi Stadium)
Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
Nashville (Nissan Stadium)
New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
Orlando (Camping World Stadium)
Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
San Francisco (Levi’s Stadium)
Seattle (Lumen Field)
Baltimore (M&T Bank Stadium)

I don't think Portland's stadium met FIFA requirements (minimum 40,000 seats for group play)

[PilotMan]

I won't be able to get to a game. Would've loved the chance. I mean, it's not cemented yet, and being part of the Outlaws means there's probably always a chance, but this dimmed it substantially.

[Galaril]

Was surprised KC got a spot over Denver.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by PilotMan

I won't be able to get to a game. Would've loved the chance. I mean, it's not cemented yet, and being part of the Outlaws means there's probably always a chance, but this dimmed it substantially.

Newark is one of your hubs. The stadium is a stones throw away. I'll be going. Lets make it happen...

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by nilodor

I can't see them risking not having the US in the tourney, which is awesome because that's the only way Canada is going to make it unless they expand Concacaf's # to like 10.

Yikes. As it turns out...

edit: and more on topic.. pleasantly surprised that Foxborough got some games. I might try to go, a World Cup game might be one of the few things that would make me want to deal with 60,000 or so screaming fans (my social anxiety has gone so far up since my days of being a Revolution season ticket holder.)

[GrantDawg]

Felt like Atlanta was a shoe-in, but I am surprised Chicago and DC didn't make the cut.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Newark is one of your hubs. The stadium is a stones throw away. I'll be going. Lets make it happen...

You have a point about that. It could be doable for sure.

[flere-imsaho]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Felt like Atlanta was a shoe-in, but I am surprised Chicago and DC didn't make the cut.

Like Jon said, Chicago was one of the cities that took a look at FIFA's financial demands for hosting and said "fuck it".

The 2026 World Cup: Chicago will not compete to host matches - Curbed Chicago

“FIFA could not provide a basic level of certainty on some major unknowns that put our city and taxpayers at risk,” said Matthew McGrath, a spokesman for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, in March. “The uncertainty for taxpayers, coupled with FIFA’s inflexibility and unwillingness to negotiate, were clear indications that further pursuit of the bid wasn’t in Chicago’s best interests.”

Note: This was from 2018, when Chicago withdrew.

[SirFozzie]

Edmonton demanded five games, including two round of 32 games and 1 round of 16 games.

They got nothing.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by flere-imsaho

Like Jon said, Chicago was one of the cities that took a look at FIFA's financial demands for hosting and said "fuck it".

The 2026 World Cup: Chicago will not compete to host matches - Curbed Chicago



Note: This was from 2018, when Chicago withdrew.

Sure, but I didn't follow it that close and when you think "large cities with a major soccer presence in the US", Chicago and DC come to mind.

[kingfc22]

Definitely will be doing my best to get tickets for games at Levi's. Will also look into LA, Seattle and Vancouver.

[miami_fan]

I know they will make it work but I am curious how many of these cities' infrastructure will be handling the groups coming in. I will be looking for tickets to a game in Miami. I would only have to make about a 20 minute walk from my sister's home. I feel sorry for anyone who has to try to commute to Hard Rock in any other fashion.

[RainMaker]

DC not being included is bizarre. Not sure if it's their choice or not. I believe they have the highest TV ratings for Premier League soccer. It's a really good market for soccer.

[Edward64]

I see Atlanta is hosting. Not a big soccer fan but I feel I should go to at least one match for the experience.

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

DC not being included is bizarre. Not sure if it's their choice or not. I believe they have the highest TV ratings for Premier League soccer. It's a really good market for soccer.

FedEx Field is a dump and even FIFA doesn't want to deal with Daniel Snyder.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

DC not being included is bizarre. Not sure if it's their choice or not. I believe they have the highest TV ratings for Premier League soccer. It's a really good market for soccer.

Just a guess but the lack of an appropriate venue probably made it a no go. Audi Field only has a capacity of 20,000. FEDEX Field is a dump if you believe most locals.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by bronconick

FedEx Field is a dump and even FIFA doesn't want to deal with Daniel Snyder.

Ahhhhh, that makes sense. Didn't know the stadium was in such rough shape.

[miami_fan]

Digging into it a little bit more, it looks like the D.C. bid was actually a D.C./ Baltimore bid with all the games actually being played in M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. D.C. would have held a a fan festival and other activities. It makes much more sense now.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Galaril

Was surprised KC got a spot over Denver.

I think the spot was between the two and KC probably got it due to a robust soccer culture - Sporting KC constantly does well and there are tons of videos of people packing into the square at KC to watch and celebrate World Cup matches (the Landon Donovan scoring against Algeria video features that KC celebration for one).

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

I think the spot was between the two and KC probably got it due to a robust soccer culture - Sporting KC constantly does well and there are tons of videos of people packing into the square at KC to watch and celebrate World Cup matches (the Landon Donovan scoring against Algeria video features that KC celebration for one).

That is interesting Imhad no idea KC was a soccer city. Denver though has a strong soccer fan base for Colorado Rapids. We have been to a number of international friendlies and a Copa Cup match over the years here. Denver has been a strong MLS supporting city since the league started so was exp3cti g they would get picked.

[JonInMiddleGA]

An interesting note in The Denver Post coverage

While other bids like Kansas City’s excelled at promoting the possibility of World Cup games coming to its city through social media channels, Denver did not. The private watch party not being open to the public indicated as much. Still, Payne defended his group’s efforts to bring games to the Front Range.

“We don’t think the promotion of it played a factor in (the decision),” Payne said. “Our conversations with FIFA have been plenty. They’ve been one-on-one and there’s been quite a few of them. We think we delivered everything they were wanting. … We’re proud of it.”

edit to add: Other coverage from the area suggests that altitude and the lack of public funding (it was to be privately funded only) were more likely issues that FIFA wasn't happy with

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

An interesting note in The Denver Post coverage



edit to add: Other coverage from the area suggests that altitude and the lack of public funding (it was to be privately funded only) were more likely issues that FIFA wasn't happy with

Thanks that makes more sense now.

[flere-imsaho]

Sounds like Denver's setup was unlikely to deliver as much revenue to FIFA as KC's was.