NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 10: Sunil Gulati, (center) president of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), Canadian CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani (left) and Mexican Football Federation President Decio De Maria hold up a signed unified bid for the 2026 soccer world cup on April 10, 2017 in New York City. Canada, the United States and Mexico launched their bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup at a news conference atop the Freedom Tower in lower Manhattan. The leaders of the three country's soccer federations are seeking to host the first World Cup with an expanded 48-nation field. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The United States, Mexico and Canada unveiled on Tuesday their preliminary list of candidate host cities and stadiums for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as part of their joint bid to organize the tournament.
The list includes 49 venues across 44 cities to host 80 games in the 48-nation competition. Earlier this year, FIFA officials voted to increase the number of teams competing in the World Cup from the current 32.
As part of the three countries’ joint bid, the U.S. is set to host 60 games, while Mexico and Canada would host ten games each.
The 37 stadiums in the U.S. include all 32 NFL teams’ stadiums except for the Buffalo Bills’ New Era Field.
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The official bid for the 2026 World Cup by the United States, Mexico and Canada will be delivered to FIFA by the March 16, 2018, deadline and will face competition from Morocco, which announced a bid last week.
The final shortlist of hosting cities and candidates will be announced in late September. Those cities and 20-25 estimated stadiums will then have until January 2018 to make all necessary preparations for their hosting gig. The selected cities will have until Sept. 5 to submit their interest.
The United Bid Committee said Tuesday that “At least 12 locations could ultimately serve as official host cities.”
FIFA requires a capacity of 40,000 for most World Cup games, 60,000 for the semifinals and one of 80,000 for the opener and final, making the only possible venues in the list for those games those in Dallas, Los Angeles and New Jersey, as well as the less likely Washington, Jacksonville and Green Bay.
“The host cities included in our bid will be critical to its success, not only because of their facilities and ability to stage major events, but because they are committed to further developing the sport of soccer by harnessing the impact of hosting a FIFA World Cup,” UBC executive director John Kristick said. “We have had a great response so far and we’re looking forward to working closely with each city and determining the best venues for our official bid that we’ll submit next year.”
The last World Cup the U.S. hosted was in 1994. The U.S. also hosted the 2016 Copa America Centenario.
Here is the full list of potential host cities and stadiums for the 2026 World Cup for all three countries:
37 stadiums in 34 markets
Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Baltimore, M&T Bank Stadium
Birmingham, Legion Field
Boston/Foxborough, Gillette Stadium
Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium
Chicago, Soldier Field
Cincinnati, Paul Brown Stadium
Cleveland, FirstEnergy Stadium
Dallas, Cotton Bowl
Dallas/Arlington, AT&T Stadium
Denver, Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Detroit, Ford Field
Green Bay, Lambeau Field
Houston, NRG Stadium
Indianapolis, Lucas Oil Stadium
Jacksonville, EverBank Field
Kansas City, Arrowhead Stadium
Las Vegas, Raiders Stadium
Los Angeles, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Los Angeles, LA Stadium at Hollywood Park
Los Angeles, Rose Bowl
Miami, Hard Rock Stadium
Minneapolis, US Bank Stadium
Nashville, Nissan Stadium
New Orleans, Mercedes-Benz Superdome
New York/New Jersey, MetLife Stadium
Orlando, Camping World Stadium
Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Field
Phoenix/Glendale, University of Phoenix Stadium
Pittsburgh, Heinz Field
Salt Lake City, Rice-Eccles Stadium
San Antonio, Alamodome
San Diego, Qualcomm Stadium
San Francisco/San Jose, Levi’s Stadium
Seattle, CenturyLink Field
Tampa, Raymond James Stadium
Washington, D.C./Landover, FedEx Field
Nine stadiums in seven markets
Calgary, McMahon Stadium
Edmonton, Commonwealth Stadium
Montreal, Stade Olympique
Montreal, Stade Saputo
Ottawa, TD Place Stadium
Regina, Mosaic Stadium
Toronto, Rogers Centre
Toronto, BMO Field
Vancouver, BC Place
Three stadiums in three markets
Guadalajara, Estadio Chivas
Mexico City, Estadio Azteca
Monterrey, Estadio Rayados
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 10: Sunil Gulati, (center) president of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), Canadian CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani (left) and Mexican Football Federation President Decio De Maria hold up a signed unified bid for the 2026 soccer world cup on April 10, 2017 in New York City. Canada, the United States and Mexico launched their bid to co-host the 2026 World Cup at a news conference atop the Freedom Tower in lower Manhattan. The leaders of the three country’s soccer federations are seeking to host the first World Cup with an expanded 48-nation field. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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