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Puget Sound Civic Officials Celebrate Seattle Inclusion in United Bid to Host 2026 FIFA World Cup

March 16, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Seattle Sounders FC News Release


CenturyLink Field, Home of Seattle Sounders FC
CenturyLink Field, Home of Seattle Sounders FC
(Seattle Sounders FC, Credit: Mike Fietchner / Sounders FC Communications)

SEATTLE, WASH. - Following yesterday's announcement that Seattle has been included as an official Candidate Host City in the United Bid of Canada, Mexico and the United State to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, civic officials from across the Puget Sound region have voiced their support of this effort. The United Bid announced its list of 23 Candidate Host Cities that are included in the Bid Book yesterday afternoon.

The full list of Candidate Host Cities can be found below. If the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ is awarded to the United Bid, FIFA will select up to 16 Host Cities from the proposed slate of 23.

"Canada, Mexico and the United States have joined together to deliver a United Bid that offers FIFA and its member associations the power of unity, the promise of certainty and the potential of extraordinary opportunity," said John Kristick, Executive Director of the United Bid. "We are confident that the combination of our 23 existing world-class stadiums, 150 existing elite training facilities and our modern and interconnected transportation network can help FIFA to achieve new records for attendance and revenue which will allow the entire global football community to improve and grow."

Seattle's inclusion as a final Candidate Host City in the United Bid's proposal is supported throughout the region by both those involved in the sport and various levels of government, all dedicated to making Seattle one of the strongest possible host sites for FIFA play.

"The Puget Sound region has a long, passionate history that is rich in its support and love for soccer," said Seattle Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer. "As a lifelong resident of this city, and someone who has witnessed the game grow to its current heights in our community, Seattle is an ideal location for the highest levels of soccer competition in the world. As the United Bid Committee effort continues to build momentum, we are proud to represent the Pacific Northwest as part of this important initiative for the United States, Mexico and Canada to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup."

"We are excited to be included as an official Candidate Host City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Seattle is North America's best soccer town, and we are thrilled to be one of the finalists to help represent North America as part of the largest World Cup ever held," said Mayor Jenny Durkan. "It is an enormous opportunity for our City, our fans, and our region's economy. We're ready to welcome teams and visitors from across the globe to the Emerald City."

"We are thrilled as a community to continue pursuing the dream of bringing the FIFA World Cup to Seattle," said Ralph Morton, Executive Director of the Seattle Sports Commission. "This is a once in a generation opportunity to host the world's game. Seattle will provide a front row seat for thousands of tourist and billions of viewers, who will see our passion for soccer and the beauty of this region."

"King County is well suited to host the world's game in 2026 and we strongly encourage FIFA and the United Bid Committee to recognize our unique, welcoming, soccer-frenzied culture," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "Our metropolitan region is home to a passionate soccer community, woven together by generations of homegrown fans and enthusiasts from across the globe, all eager for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"The Port of Seattle is thrilled to support Seattle's bid as a host city for the 2026 World Cup," said Courtney Gregoire, Port of Seattle Commission President. "Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is an international gateway and one of the nation's fastest growing airports. We are investing $3 billion between now and 2022 to improve customer experience and manage record-breaking demand, including a new International Arrivals Facility ready for the 2026 World Cup."

"CenturyLink Field is a world-class soccer venue designed specifically to host World Cup soccer. The Public Stadium Authority enthusiastically stands ready to welcome and host the world's game in Seattle," said Washington State Public Stadium Authority Board Chair Fred Mendoza.

"CenturyLink Field is the premier sports and entertainment venue in the Pacific Northwest, hosting many world-class events every year. We are excited to be named a finalist for the opportunity to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and welcome the best soccer players in the world to our stadium," said David Young, Seahawks Senior Vice President of Operations and General Manager of CenturyLink Field.

Across every metric, the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ in North America has the potential to deliver something extraordinary for Seattle, North America, FIFA and for football.

The United Bid's final Candidate Host Cities are:

Canada:

Edmonton

Montreal

Toronto Mexico:

Guadalajara

Mexico City

Monterrey United States:

Atlanta

Baltimore

Boston

Cincinnati

Dallas

Denver

Houston

Kansas City

Los Angeles

Miami

Nashville

New York/New Jersey

Orlando

Philadelphia

San Francisco Bay Area

Seattle

Washington, D.C. ABOUT THE UNITED BID COMMITTEE

The United Bid Committee was created by the National Federations of Canada, Mexico and the United States to manage the bidding process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.

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Images from this story

CenturyLink Field, Home of Seattle Sounders FC
CenturyLink Field, Home of Seattle Sounders FC
(Mike Fietchner / Sounders FC Communications)		   

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