Baltimore got here up quick.
FIFA, the governing physique of soccer, chosen Thursday the 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup, and Baltimore was not amongst them.
In April, Baltimore and Washington mixed bids, which every metropolis felt might improve its probabilities of being chosen. Washington initially bid to host matches of its personal, however the mixed effort sought to unite Washington’s standing because the nation’s capital with the extra enticing venue of M&T Bank Stadium, quite than FedEx Field in Landover, dwelling of the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
FedEx Field has lately had points — together with a burst pipe and a damaged railing throughout NFL video games final season — whereas M&T Bank Stadium will obtain a “Facility of Merit” award this 12 months from the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security.
Under the mixed bid, video games would’ve taken place in Baltimore whereas Washington would host a fan competition on the National Mall, coinciding with the nation’s 250th birthday.
The 2026 World Cup will probably be distinctive in two methods: for the primary time, the match could have 48 groups (as a substitute of 32) and it is going to be hosted by three international locations. Between the United States, Canada and Mexico, 16 cities have been picked to host video games, with the U.S. receiving the vast majority of websites.
FIFA officers visited Baltimore in September, attending the Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs recreation together with 70,000 followers. Terry Hasseltine, the manager director of the Maryland Sports Commission, which oversaw Baltimore’s marketing campaign, stated that FIFA discovered Baltimore’s bid to be “authentic.”
“They basically said, ‘Job well done, Baltimore. You’ve given us a lot to think about,’” Hasseltine stated final week of FIFA’s response.
However, FIFA finally selected different websites over Charm City. The U.S. has hosted the lads’s World Cup as soon as earlier than (1994) and the ladies’s World Cup twice (1999, 2003); 2026 will mark the primary time that video games will not be performed in Washington.
International soccer will come to Baltimore this summer season, although. English Premier League sides Arsenal and Everton will play at M&T Bank Stadium on July 16.
This story will probably be up to date.
2026 FIFA World Cup host cities
West
Vancouver
Seattle
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Guadalajara
Central
Kansas City
Atlanta
Dallas
Houston
Monterrey
Mexico City
East
Toronto
Boston
Philadelphia
Miami
New York/New Jersey
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Source: www.bostonherald.com