A resolution championed by a Florida congresswoman for the U.S., Canada and Mexico to host the World Cup in 2026 passed the U.S. House overwhelmingly this week.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., is one of the four cochairs of the Congressional Soccer Caucus. Last month, she and the three other cochairs--U.S. Reps. Don Bacon, R-Neb., Ruben Kihuen, D-Nev., and Darin LaHood, R-Ill.--brought out a continuing resolution in support of the U.S. hosting the event with the two other North American nations. Five other members of the Florida delegation--Republican U.S. Reps. Carlos Curbelo and Gus Bilirakis and Democrat U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch, Stephanie Murphy and Debbie Wasserman Schultz--cosponsored the resolution.
The House passed the resolution 392 to 3 this week. Republican U.S. Reps. Justin Amash of Michigan, Tom Garrett of Virginia and Louie Gohmert of Texas voted against the resolution. Four Florida Republicans--U.S. Reps. Neal Dunn, Bill Posey, Tom Rooney and Ted Yoho--did not vote.
Castor and the other cochairs of the caucus weighed in after the vote.
“The World Cup is not only the world’s preeminent sporting event, but also a force for promoting sportsmanship and international goodwill. That is why we are proud to have our resolution in support of North America’s united bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup overwhelmingly pass the House of Representatives,” said Castor and the other cochairs in a joint statement. “Hosting this event would bring both major economic benefits, and help soccer capitalize on its momentum as one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. We hope that the Senate will also show their support for this united bid in the coming weeks, and that the selection committee will agree that North America is the ideal place for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
“This resolution sends a strong signal to the world that if the United Bid is selected to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. government, at the highest levels, will do its part to guarantee the event will be a major success and that we are ready to welcome players and fans from around the world,” said Carlos Cordeiro, the president of U.S. Soccer and cochairman of United 2026. “I want to thank Congressional Soccer Caucus co-chairs Representatives Darin LaHood, Kathy Castor, Don Bacon and Ruben Kihuen for their leadership in securing overwhelming support in the House of Representatives for our United Bid to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be an extraordinary opportunity to grow soccer in America.”
Castor is not alone in the Florida delegation in trying to get North America to host the World Cup in 2026. At the end of February, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., paired up with Missouri Republican Roy Blunt and Maryland Democrat Chris Van Hollen to gather more than 40 senators to sign a letter urging President Donald Trump to work with the other two North American nations to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Senators from both parties signed the letter including Republicans Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee of Utah and John McCain of Arizona and Democrats including Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kamala Harris of California, Chuck Schumer of New York and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
“We write to express our support for the United Bid by Canada, Mexico and the United States to jointly host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We believe this effort presents an exceptional opportunity to showcase our nations’ shared passion for soccer and its positive impact in local communities and on the international stage,” the senators wrote. “Millions of Americans play or watch soccer at youth, collegiate, recreational and professional levels today. The sport spans generations, cultures, and languages – connecting fans and athletes with others across the globe who have a common love for the game. Comprising a melting pot of identities, cultures, and races, Americans proudly unite behind their team in the World Cup competition, and enjoy ties to the multiplicity of nationalities that come together for this tournament every four years.
“The 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a total of 48 participating national teams and 80 matches, will be the largest in the history of the competition,” the senators continued. “As one of three host nations, the United States would have the opportunity to deepen the relationship between our citizens and the extended global soccer community, and to further foster the spirit of sportsmanship and inclusivity that defines the sport. It would build on a successful legacy for our three nations, which together have hosted 13 FIFA-sponsored tournaments. Dozens of U.S. cities that we represent have already conveyed their interest in being part of the United Bid effort that will showcase America, promote tourism, and stimulate economic growth.
“Through a united World Cup bid, we have the opportunity to promote and celebrate the positive impact soccer has had for millions of Americans,” the senators wrote in conclusion. “We welcome your support for the United Bid to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to North America, and we look forward to working with you to advance this important effort.”
Even with soccer becoming increasingly popular, the last time the US hosted a World Cup was back in the summer of 1994 when Orlando was the only city in Florida where a match was played.
The World Cup’s economic impact has varied in recent years, adding $15 billion to Brazil’s economy in 2014 but only around $5 billion to South Africa’s when that nation hosted the event earlier in the decade.
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