Although it may be nine years away, the joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup now has potential locations and stadiums for games to be played in. A total of 49 stadiums across all three countries are being considered. 37 stadiums in the U.S, nine stadiums in Canada and three stadiums in Mexico would be potential hosting sites for the tournament.
Four of those 37 stadiums, reside in Florida. Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa’s American football stadiums are on the list, as well as Orlando’s own Camping World Stadium.
Historically, the Orlando Citrus Bowl, as it once was named, has hosted a multitude of high profile soccer games over the years. It hosted four first-round games and one game from the Round of 16 of the 1994 World Cup, nine matches in the 1996 Summer Olympics for both men’s and women’s teams, and three group matches at the most recent Copa América Centenario in 2016.
The impact of soccer more recently with Orlando City, has created a vibrant soccer market in Central Florida. While the tenants of Camping World Stadium from 2015 to 2016, the team sold out the 62,510 seat stadium twice in both seasons opening games, while averaging 32,085 fans per game between those two seasons.
The official decision on the bid will come down in June of 2018, when the FIFA Congress meets in Moscow.
