Sports
Charlotte on Long Shortlist for 2026 World Cup Host Cities
Charlotte is one of 44 cities listed as potential host sites for the NAFTA bid for soccer's 2026 FIFA World Cup.
CHARLOTTE, NC — The committee pushing to bring soccer's 2026 World Cup to the United States, Canada and Mexico released its list of potential host cities this week, including Charlotte.
The United Bid Committee, which will submit its bid to soccer governing body FIFA in March 2018, identified 49 stadiums in 44 cities — 34 in the U.S, seven in Canada and three in Mexico — from which it expects to send 20 to 25 as part of its bid package. If FIFA then selects the NAFTA bid, a dozen or so cities will actually host games. Requests for Information from the 44 cities are due back to the UBC in early September.
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In addition to a stadium capable of hosting international soccer — requirements are a 40,000-seat facility for early-round matches and 80,000 for the final. (Bank of America Stadium has a capacity of 75,400.) Also, each city must propose international-level training sites and locations for team base camps, and hotels for teams, staff and VIP’s. The Bid Committee will also evaluate cities on their commitment to sustainable event management, human rights, environmental protection, aspirations to develop soccer and the positive social impact they anticipate in the local community and beyond stemming from the event.
The list of cities and venues are:
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- Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Baltimore, M&T Bank Stadium
- Birmingham, Ala., Legion Field
- Charlotte, N.C., Bank of America Stadium
- Chicago, Soldier Field
- Cincinnati, Paul Brown Stadium
- Cleveland, First Energy Stadium
- Dallas, Cotton Bowl
- Dallas/Arlington, AT&T Stadium
- Denver, Sports Authority Field at Mile High
- Detroit, Ford Field
- Green Bay, Wisc., Lambeau Field
- Houston, NRG Stadium
- Indianapolis, Lucas Oil Stadium
- Jacksonville, Fla., EverBank Field
- Las Vegas, Raiders Stadium
- Los Angeles, Memorial Coliseum
- Los Angeles/Inglewoood, LA Stadium at Hollywood Park
- Los Angeles/Pasadena, Rose Bowl
- Miami, Hard Rock Stadium
- Minneapolis, U.S. Bank Stadium
- Nashville, Nissan Stadium
- New Orleans, Mercedes-Benz Superdome
- New York/New Jersey, MetLife Stadium
- Orlando, Camping World Stadium
- Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Field
- Phoenix/Glendale, University of Phoenix Stadium
- Pittsburgh, Heinz Field
- Salt Lake City, Rice-Eccles Stadium
- San Antonio, Alamodome
- San Diego, Qualcomm Stadium
- San Francisco/San Jose/Santa Clara, Levi's Stadium
- Seattle, CenturyLink Field
- Tampa, Raymond James Stadium
- Washington/Landover, FedEx Field
- Calgary, Alb., McMahon Stadium
- Edmonton, Alb., Commonwealth Stadium
- Montreal, Stade Olympique
- Montreal, Stade Saputo
- Ottawa, TD Place Stadium
- Regina, Sask., Mosaic Stadium
- Toronto, Rogers Centre
- Toronto, BMO Field
- Vancouver, BC Place
- Guadalajara, Jallisco, Estadio Chivas
- Mexico City, Estadio Azteca
- Monterey, Neuvo Leon, Estadio Rayaros
The 2026 World Cup is the first in which FIFA has allowed joint bids and will be the first to feature 48 teams. The only other confirmed official bid, beyond the NAFTA effort, is from Morocco.
Patch Editor J.R. Lind contributed to this article.
Image via Shutterstock
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