Orlando in the Running as World Cup 2026 Host City
By Space Coast Daily // March 15, 2020
The World Cup 2026 may be six years away but that hasn’t stopped the preparations for the biggest sporting event in the world.
While the soccer tournament is still years in the making, cities are being shortlisted as potential hosts for game and Orlando has emerged as one of the possible cities to host matches at World Cup 2026.
Soccer fans are gearing up for the biggest games from the Premier League, Champions League, and this summer’s European Championships.
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The Orlando Sports Commission has been tasked with bringing sports events to the Central Florida area since 1993. It is the organization’s hope that it can lure the World Cup 2026 to Orlando.
The city is working hard to bring the tournament to Orlando to drive the region’s economic development. The Orlando Sports Commission has been working on its bid to land games and put the city on the map for the World Cup 2026.
Which cities are in the running as World Cup hosts?
According to an interview conducted by Orland Sports Commission CEO Jason Siegel, there are 17 cities in the United States competing to host World Cup matches.
That number will be trimmed down to 10 by the time the World Cup’s host cities are announced. The next round of World Cup qualifying matches will take place at the end of March.
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The World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada. It is claimed that 16 cities will host games with three from both Mexico and Canada, and the US having 10 due to its size and stadium infrastructure.
The World Cup 2026 will have 48 teams competing for the tournament’s trophy. It will be the first ever World Cup to see 48 teams compete across the month-long event. The current World Cup format sees 32 nations playing for the trophy.
Why is Orlando a great World Cup host city?
Orlando has grown exponentially as a soccer city since the arrival of Orlando City Soccer Club. The team is one of the best supported Major League Soccer teams averaging over 22,700 fans per game in 2019. It was the league’s second-best attendance during the season.
The city’s women’s team, the Orlando Price, also draws strong numbers in attendance. The National Women’s Soccer League team averaged over 5,500 fans per game in 2019 making the club the fifth-highest draw in the league.
The interest in soccer is high in Orlando and the surrounding areas but other reasons make it a prime city to host games. Orlando is city that is sought out by internationally tourists already and the tourism infrastructure is in place.
Fans will be able to visit for the matches and have other tourist attractions within touching distance. Travelers from abroad can reach Orlando relatively easy.
Miami is also in the running as a host city and considered a favorite to get the spot rather than Orlando. There is a chance that both cities along with another southeastern location such as Atlanta could host group stage games. It will be another year until FIFA announces the host cities and a lot can happen before the announcement.
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