CINCINNATI -- The Queen City has made the cut once again, and is now one of 23 North American cities included in a bid to host a soccer World Cup.
The United Bid is a combined effort of Canadian, Mexican and American groups seeking to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If FIFA does select the United Bid to host the tournament, they will choose 16 of the remaining cities to host games.
"We are confident that the combination of our 23 existing world-class stadiums, 150 existing elite training facilities, and our modern and interconnected transportation network can help FIFA to achieve new records for attendance and revenue which will allow the entire global football community to improve and grow," United Bid Executive Director John Kristick said.
Any games in Cincinnati would be played at the 65,515-seat Paul Brown Stadium.
FC Cincinnati president and GM Jeff Berding said they're working with the United Bid to promote Cincinnati as a potential host.
"The soccer movement continues to thrive here in the Queen City," he said. "FC Cincinnati has become a draw for top professional soccer players, strengthening the level and profile of soccer. The continued collaboration with Cincinnati businesses and community partners is evidence of our city’s ability to harness the passion that exists for soccer and utilize it to promote the sport as well as benefit our region. There is no greater thrill than the prospect of hosting the 2026 World Cup and we are confident that Cincinnati will be a shining example of the soccer movement on the global stage."
The host cities included in the United Bid include:
Canada:
- Edmonton
- Montréal
- Toronto
Mexico:
- Guadalajara
- Mexico City
- Monterrey
United States:
- Atlanta
- Baltimore
- Boston
- Cincinnati
- Dallas
- Denver
- Houston
- Kansas City
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Nashville
- New York/New Jersey
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Seattle
- Washington DC
