MIAMI – Miami Mayor Francis Suárez on Wednesday unveiled the city’s bid to be the “big host” of the 2026 World Cup and host the final at Hard Rock Stadium.
“We are here for a reason. Miami is the best country in the country, even on the continent, to host the World Cup, and we want the final in our city,” Suarez said at a news conference in support of the “Magic City” candidacy.
The Miami councilor highlighted the “vibrant” character of the city, its cultural “diversity” and the passion for football shown by its population, more than half of whom were born abroad.
“There is no other city that offers the international attraction that Miami offers and such a passion for football,” the councilor stressed, adding that the coastal city has five convention centers and nine sports centers.
Last January, FIFA confirmed the timetable for the selection process for the 2026 World Cup venues in Canada, Mexico and the United States, which includes virtual meetings with stadium officials, face-to-face visits at the end of July and the election in the last quarter of the year.
If Miami is selected, some of the World Cup matches will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
According to local media, the organizers of the 2026 World Cup are expected to visit the stadium in the third quarter of the year. The decision on host cities could be known by the end of 2021.
“Our goal is to show the world what Miami is,” the high level of infrastructure it offers the world, and especially its diversity “that unites this sport,” he said for his part. Christopher Corey, the Miami liaison for the 2026 World Cup nomination.
Next to Suárez, in the press conference held outside the mayor’s office, was, in addition to Corey, Jordi Mas, Owner of Inter Miami CF.
“In this wonderful city we have a great passion for football and a unique diversity as a global city. And football is a global sport,” Mas said.
FIFA is expected to choose 16 venues in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Miami, along with Orlando, also in Florida, is among the American cities competing for 10 of these.
The United States hosted the 1994 World Cup. Mexico hosted the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, while Canada hosted the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams and the first in three countries.
Edmonton, Montreal and Toronto (Canada), Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey (Mexico), and Atlanta, San Francisco, Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Philadelphia, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York / New Jersey, Orlando, Seattle and Washington (USA) are the 23 candidate cities.