The FIFA World Cup is coming to North America in 2026. On the eve of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, FIFA announced that the joint bid of USA, Mexico, and Canada had won the rights to host the 23rd World Cup. The North American representatives beat out Morrocco 134 votes to 65 votes.
The biggest soccer cities in the USA––including Portland, Los Angeles, and Kansas City––seem to be guarantees to host games in 2026, but Boston is one city in question. Here’s why:
First off, Boston doesn’t even have a professional soccer team (and therefore no soccer stadium), so when “Boston” is mentioned, it’s really in reference to Foxboro, the location of Gillette Stadium, which hosted six World Cup games in 1994.
Another factor that makes Foxboro an unfavorable place to host the World Cup is that it’s more than 25 miles away from Boston, which makes it an outlier when compared to other possible host cities. For example, in Los Angeles and New York City, the soccer stadium is right in the city.
However, despite its flaws, other aspects make Gillette Stadium an attractive candidate to host World Cup matches.
Before submitting the official 2026 World Cup bid, the North American bid committee was tasked with providing FIFA with some possible host cities, and Boston was included in the 23 nominees provided by the North American reps.
Included in this committee is Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Revolution, who is an honorary chairman and an important figure who will undoubtedly try his best to vouch for Gillette Stadium.
Kraft also started a nonprofit early in 2018––called ”Boston Soccer 2026”––with the intent of raising money to cover the costs of hosting World Cup games in Foxboro.
Additionally, Boston 2026 Bid Chair and New England Revolution President Brian Bilello told soccer fans in the Boston area to be optimistic. He described Boston as a top-tier candidate to host the World Cup in 2026 and added the following:
"The venue exists, the transportation, the infrastructure exists, the airport exists, the hotels exists. From the big picture standpoint, this is going to be a relatively easy and low-cost event to bring to North America and to bring to Boston" (NECN).
The final 16 city selections won’t be announced until 2020 or 2021, but Boston soccer fans should be excited that figures such as Kraft and Bilello are doing all that they can do bring the World Cup to our city. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should not be taken for granted.
Remain optimistic, Boston soccer fans.
(Stats via NECN, Independent)
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