June 16, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Seattle Sounders FC News Release
SEATTLE, WASH. – Following today’s globally simulcast event from New York City, FIFA announced that Seattle is one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, bringing the world’s biggest sporting event to the Emerald City in four years’ time. The 2026 tournament is the first-ever combined bid to feature three nations, with the United States, Mexico and Canada hosting the event in the summer of 2026. FIFA World Cup 2026™ is the first tournament to feature an expanded field of 48 international teams, with 60 matches being played in the United States, including contests at Seattle’s Lumen Field.
“This is perhaps the biggest day for the sport of soccer in the history of our region,” said SEA 2026 Chair and Seattle Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer. “To be awarded the FIFA World Cup is not only momentous for the city of Seattle, but for all of Washington State and the Pacific Northwest. Crossing the finish line to become one of the host cities for this global event is a testament to the hard work of countless people. To the many individuals and agencies that were involved, on behalf of our entire local organizing committee, I would like to offer a sincere thank you and congratulations! We cannot wait to host FIFA World Cup matches at Lumen Field in 2026.”
As part of the overall effort to bring the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to Seattle – the globe’s biggest sporting event that crowns an international champion of the world’s game every four years – Seattle’s successful bid was led by SEA 2026. This local organizing committee is a multi-agency organization that represents years of hard work behind the scenes on behalf of several public and private entities that acted to ensure the Emerald City’s participation in this generational event. Chaired by Hanauer, the SEA 2026 Executive Committee guided the organization in executing its vision for hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Seattle, while also serving as ambassadors for the City of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.
Today’s news follows last year’s official site visit from FIFA as part of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ candidate host city selection process. Led by Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani and FIFA Chief Tournaments & Events Officer Colin Smith, the FIFA delegation met with local stakeholders to discuss key topics such as venue management, infrastructure and sustainability, as well as…
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