The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Seattle Sounders and Puget Sound civic and sports leaders congregated at The Ninety, the Sounders' Pioneer Square event space, to address the United Bid's selection to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The United Bid of Canada, Mexico and the United States was selected Wednesday morning 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.
"Seattle is the United States' greatest soccer town - and we're ready to show our excitement and passion for the game to the world in the 2026 FIFA World Cup," said Mayor of Seattle, Jenny Durkan. "We have world-class soccer fans, world-class facilities, and we're a world-class city. It is an enormous opportunity for Seattle, our fans, and our region's economy. We're ready to welcome teams and visitors from across the globe to the Emerald City in 2026."
Wednesday's vote 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.
Mayor Jenny Durkan addresses the media during the Seattle civic leaders press conference regarding the 2026 FIFA World Cup / Jane Gershovich
"Today is enormously exciting for our sport throughout North America," said Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer. "Hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup gives us a chance to showcase the incredible cities, fandom and passion for soccer that have been thriving for decades in this region and only continue to grow. Sounders FC is proud to work alongside civic leaders throughout Puget Sound to demonstrate why Seattle is a North American leader in the sport, and why our passionate, diverse and inclusive community deserves to host the world's biggest sporting event."
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.
"We are excited for the opportunity to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and welcome the top soccer players from around the globe to CenturyLink Field," said Chuck Arnold - Chief Operating Officer, Seattle Seahawks and First & Goal Inc. "CenturyLink Field hosts many diverse and world-class events each year and we look forward to showcasing our stadium in one of sport's greatest spectacles."
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.
