SEATTLE, WASH.
- Following the selection of the
United Bid
by FIFA's Congress as host for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, Sounders FC, in conjunction with various civic entities throughout the region, is holding a press conference at
2:30 p.m. PT today inside The Ninety
, the club's Pioneer Square event space. This pivotal decision brings the world's largest sporting event back to North America for the first time since 1994, with Seattle on the shortlist of 23 destinations across the continent vying to become a host city finalist for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.
A variety of civic and sports business leaders are scheduled to discuss the United Bid effort and Seattle's role as a host city candidate, including
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan
,
King County Executive Dow Constantine
,
Washington State Public Stadium Authority Board Chair Fred Mendoza
,
Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer
, and
Chief Operating Officer of the Seattle Seahawks and First & Goal Inc. Chuck Arnold
. Additional guests from area government and sports agencies are to be on hand as the region celebrates the achievement for the sport of soccer in North America.
Members of the media wishing to attend the press conference should RSVP with Alex Caulfield (
AlexC@SoundersFC.com) or Kelly Schutz (
KellyS@SoundersFC.com). Limited parking for television and satellite trucks is available upon request on a first-come, first-served basis.
The United Bid was chosen by a vote of 134-65, with three abstentions and one vote for neither bid. 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.
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.
WHAT:
Press Conference regarding selection of the United Bid as host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™
WHO:
Fred Mendoza - Washington State Public Stadium Authority Board Chair
Adrian Hanauer - Seattle Sounders FC Owner
Jenny Durkan - Mayor of Seattle
Dow Constantine - King County Executive
Chuck Arnold - Chief Operating Officer, Seattle Seahawks and First & Goal Inc.
WHEN:
Wednesday, June 13 - 2:30 p.m. PT
WHERE:
The Ninety (406 Occidental Avenue S., Seattle, WA 98104)
HOW:
RSVP by contacting Alex Caulfield (
AlexC@SoundersFC.com
) or Kelly Schutz (
KellyS@SoundersFC.com
) of Sounders FC Communications
