Statement from Orlando City SC Chief Executive Officer Alex Leitão
We are extremely excited and honored that the United States will be one of the countries that will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. This is a moment that everyone involved in the sport in this country should be proud of as it is a result of everyone’s hard work and commitment to grow the beautiful game not only in the United States, but also in Canada and Mexico. Like it did in 1994, this World Cup will further allow us to celebrate the soccer culture in this country and inspire a new generation. We can’t wait for the opportunity to continue showing Orlando’s great passion for soccer in what will be the largest and most successful FIFA World Cup™ in history.
UNITED BID SELECTED TO HOST THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP™
The United Bid of Canada, Mexico, and the United States was selected to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ earlier today by the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow. For the first time in history, FIFA's Member Associations were given the opportunity to vote on the host for the FIFA World Cup™ . They did so by a vote of 134 to 65.
Today's vote, which occurred a day before the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ in Russia, also marks the first time three nations have been selected to co-host a FIFA World Cup™ and the first time the FIFA World Cup™ will be played in North America in 32 years. The United Bid offers FIFA and its 211 Member Associations unity, certainty, and opportunity as they prepare to host the largest FIFA World Cup™ in history, which will be expanded to a 48-team format.
"Hosting a FIFA World Cup™ is an extraordinary honor and privilege," said Steven Reed, President of Canada Soccer and Co-Chair of the United Bid. "Canada, Mexico, and the United States are ready to welcome the world to North America and serve as stewards of the largest FIFA World Cup™ in history. Our vision is of a world of opportunity for our Candidate Host Cities and for the global football community."
"We are grateful for the chance to bring to life FIFA's new vision for the future of football," said Decio de Maria, President of Mexico Football Federation and Co-Chair of the United Bid. "Together-in partnership with our Candidate Host Cities, the Member Associations, and FIFA-we will use this platform to unite the world around football and help create a new and sustainable blueprint for the future of FIFA World Cups™."
"Hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ is a rare and important moment to demonstrate that we are all truly united through sport," said Carlos Cordeiro, President of U.S. Soccer and Co-Chair of the United Bid. 'We are humbled by the trust our colleagues in the FIFA family have put in our bid; strengthened by the unity between our three countries and the CONCACAF region; and excited by the opportunity we have to put football on a new and sustainable path for generations to come."
With the FIFA Congress decision to award the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, to the football federations of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the three nations will jointly manage preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ until FIFA establishes their operations to manage the competition. Among other decisions, FIFA will make the final selection of host cities for the 2026 competition from the 23 candidates proposed in the United Bid.
Each of the United Bid's 23 proposed stadiums are fully built, occupied, and operational, ensuring long-term use following the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. In addition, the United Bid has 150 existing world-class training facilities, millions of hotel rooms, and advanced infrastructure.
The United Bid is expected to generate more than $14 billion in revenue and $11 billion in profits for FIFA, which will be shared with the 211 FIFA Member Associations, helping further develop and expand the game of football across the globe.
2026 FIFA World Cup Facts and Figures:
Number of Teams: 48 Number of Matches: 80 Number of Players: +1,100
Candidate Host Cites: 23 Proposed Training Sites: 150
Projected Revenue: $14 billion Projected Profit: $11 billion Projected Economic Impact: $5 billion Projected Ticket Sales: 5.8 million