Atlanta’s attempt to host 2026 World Cup soccer matches is about to enter the next phase after delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Representatives of Atlanta and 16 other U.S. cities vying for 10 host spots will participate in a virtual workshop Tuesday, during which FIFA – soccer’s global governing body – will provide details about how potential host cities and venues will be assessed and selected.
“Six years (away) seems like a long time. It’s really not,” Colin Smith, FIFA’s chief tournaments and events officer, said on a conference call with reporters Monday.
“We’re very excited we can get this process moving. It is an opportunity for us to get know the cities better, to get to know the stadiums, to enter into more details.”
When FIFA awarded the 2026 World Cup to the United States, Mexico and Canada two years ago, the organization said 16 cities – 10 in the U.S., three in Mexico and three in Canada – would be chosen to host matches. Atlanta and Dallas were suggested in the original North American bid as potentially the semifinals hosts, but those recommendations aren’t binding on FIFA.
The workshop for U.S. candidate cities originally was scheduled to be held in person in March, but was delayed and switched to a digital format amid COVID-19. Because of that delay and continuing uncertainty about when on-site inspection visits can be held, FIFA’s decision on host cities won’t be made by the original target of spring 2021.
“It’s very difficult to give a final date (for site selection) because .... it is not clear yet when we will be able to come and conduct those inspection visits,” Smith said.
The Atlanta Sports Council, Atlanta United, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, City of Atlanta government, Georgia World Congress Center Authority and Mercedes-Benz Stadium will have representatives on Tuesday’s virtual session.
“We’re looking forward to working with FIFA and U.S. Soccer on the next steps and highlighting all that our region and state can provide as a host community,” Sports Council president Dan Corso said.
In addition to Atlanta, the U.S. candidates to host matches are Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York/New Jersey, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay area, Seattle and Washington. Candidate cities in Canada and Mexico held workshops with FIFA early this year.
“It’s hard to say much on individual stadiums at the moment,” Smith said Monday, “until we do the more detailed inspections. … Nothing is set in stone from our point of view. We want to look at the whole picture.”
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