U.S. Bank Stadium in consideration to host 2026 World Cup matches
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - U.S. Bank Stadium is one of 49 stadiums in consideration to host World Cup soccer matches as part of the United States, Mexico and Canada’s joint bid for to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The United Bid Committee of the U.S., Mexico and Canada announced Tuesday it is considering Minneapolis and the U.S. Bank Stadium as one of the 44 cities and 49 stadiums for inclusion in its official bid. Sports Minneapolis, which is powered by Meet Minneapolis, says it intends to pursue the opportunity.
“U.S. Bank Stadium is a world-class facility and we are excited to be among the venues chosen to bid on the World Cup in 2026,” Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority Chair Michael Vekich said in a statement. “We have experience hosting large events and the Super Bowl in 2018 and the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2019 will demonstrate that we are successful at hosting some of the most popular sporting events.”
U.S. Bank Stadium is no stranger to hosting international soccer matches. The first sporting event ever held at the stadium was a 2016 International Champions Cup match between A.C. Milan and Chelsea F.C. More than 60,000 fans attended the game. The U.S. Women’s National Team also played an international friendly against Switzerland at the stadium last fall.
The bid committee says it will review interest and select a short list of possible host cities by, according to a news release. Twenty to 25 venues will be included in the official bid, which will be submitted to FIFA, soccer’s international governing body, in March.
If the U.S., Canada and Mexico’s joint bid is selected, at least 12 cities will be designated as official hosts for the World Cup. Cities that do not make the final cut will still have the opportunity to be involved in the World Cup by serving as the location for the International Broadcast Center, hosting team base camps or hosting other major events.
Morocco has also declared its intention to bid for the 2026 event.