Miami named World Cup 2026 host city

MIAMI — FIFA has selected Miami as a World Cup 2026 host city.

City of Miami Mayor Frances Suarez calls Thursday’s announcement a generational opportunity.

It’s one that local leaders believe provides tremendous economic benefits and much more.

“It felt like we already played a game and won the championship,” he said.

The game to secure the bid was five years long. The World Cup bid process started in 2017, with the final paperwork sent off late Wednesday night.

“To FIFA’s credit, they were looking at various factors, not just the obvious ones,” said Rolando Aedo, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s COO.

Aedo points to Miami’s past hosting at Hard Rock Stadium in securing the bid.

“A community that has a proven track record of global events. We just finished Formula 1. We’ve hosted multiple Super Bowls and College Football Championships,” he said.

And in 2017, Hard Rock Stadium hosted El Clásico between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The match sold out in three hours and was the highest grossing soccer match in North American history. The passion for fútbol worldwide in South Florida exists.

“It’s in our blood. It’s who we are. It’s our DNA,” said Suarez.

Securing this goal means Inter Miami CF owner Jorge Mas sees the path toward more significant support for soccer in South Florida.

“What great momentum. Having Miami Freedom Park approved in April. It goes to building infrastructure and an ecosystem for the sport to grow here,” he said.

A 2018 US Soccer study said host cities could see an estimated $160 to $620 million in economic activity.

Local leaders point to expected job growth and a surge in tourism.

“Jobs. Investment. Investing in infrastructure. It’s going to be for the long-term benefit of our community,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

“The impact it’s going to have on our children here in South Florida – our kids will be able to participate in a sport like soccer and maybe one day become a member of a FIFA world team.” Said Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris.

In addition to Miami, 15 others were officially chosen on Thursday as host cities.

The other cities are:

1. Vancouver
2. Seattle
3. San Francisco
4. Los Angeles
5. Guadalajara
6. Kansas City
7. Dallas
8. Houston
9. Atlanta
10. Monterrey
11. Mexico City
12. Toronto
13. Boston
14. Philadelphia
15. New York/New Jersey

The cities were announced by CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, recording artist Becky G and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.