2026 FIFA World Cup to Philly? Next step in host city process unveiled

Yesterday, U.S. Soccer released news of a “Candidate Host City Workshop for U.S. Bidders” to be held on July 7th.

Canada, USA, and Mexico are together on a joint bid to host the 2026 Men’s World Cup. Mandatory Credit: FIFA 2026 Bid Evaluation Report

And you may be thinking, a what?

The goal is quite clear though. FIFA and U.S. Soccer are aiming to take the next steps in the venue selection process. Currently, there are 17 U.S. bid cities. See the list below.

“We are looking forward to moving into the planning phase of preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” said U.S. Soccer CEO Dan Flynn. “We are incredibly honored that the United States has 17 world-class cities competing to be part of the first 48-team FIFA World Cup in history. There’s no doubt that over the next year, we will have an incredibly spirited competition between the cities to get selected as a final venue.”

Canada, Mexico, and the United States were selected to be co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup on June 13, 2018. It will be the first time three nations will co-host a FIFA World Cup and it will be played on North American soil for the first time in 32 years in 2026.

Canada and Mexico have already held their own workshops. Three cities in each country will be selected. Those bid cities are Edmonton, Montreal, and Toronto (Canada) and Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterey (Mexico).

As for how this workshop will run, there are a few moving parts. The workshop will be held virtually July 7 and in the weeks following, both FIFA and U.S. Soccer will hold virtual “one-on-one” sessions with each candidate host city.

The workshop will provide an overview of the venue selection process, outline the areas for the assessment of candidate host cities, and will also address the rules and procedures relating to the venue selection process.

As the weeks go by following the workshop, each of the proposed host cities and their host stadiums will participate in one on one workshops and venue visits.

For Philadelphia, one would assume that venue would be none other than Lincoln Financial Field. The Linc is a more-than-capable venue for international sports. The venue boasts an impressive resume having recently hosted the men’s CONCACAF Gold Cup and the USWNT #SheBelieves Cup to name only a few international soccer events.

The press area is state-of-the-art with above-average player locker room facilities. The playing surface is natural grass, there’s a seating capacity of over 67,500, ample parking, and it’s very accessible via public transportation.

It seems like the obvious host venue if the World Cup comes to town in 2026.

But just imagine, Philadelphia soccer fans and fans throughout the tri-state area could potentially have an opportunity to flood Philly with a soccer passion. That 2026 USMNT could be special considering the rising ranks of young American soccer players at home and abroad. It could be a special summer in Philly in six years’ time.