PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The stage is ready. Philadelphia has been named one of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup.
A viewing party was organized at LOVE Park in Center City and football fans erupted in excitement when their city was declared the venue for the World Cup.
Philly is for #FIFAWorldCup 2026! @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/7sLInQX7p6
– Pat Gallen (@ PatGallenCBS3) June 16, 2022
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“Yes, the truest fans in the world can finally show how great they really are,” said a fan.
“It was so noisy, it was like the best party ever. Everyone here in Philly is excited about this. “People pass by them who aren’t even football fans, Union fans, and they also advertise,” said a fan.
Fans were a little nervous waiting for the announcement.
“I was sick to my stomach, but I knew in my heart that we had it,” said one fan.
Even Mayor Jim Kenny was a little on edge.
“I was wondering what, God forbid, we didn’t understand what we were going to do with all these people here and how we were going to get back to the town hall. But there have been times in my life when I have been more relieved. That’s when Tom Brady took Hale Mary’s pass to Minnesota, “said Kenny, referring to the Eagles’ victory in the Super Bowl.
Putting the matches aside, city officials say the offer is great for business and a major boost for the local economy.
And when 2026 comes ….
“I am so inflated. This will be a historic moment for Philly, it will be a historic moment for everyone here, “said a fan.
The World Cup matches in Philadelphia will be played at Lincoln Financial Field. Linc offers virgin natural grass, which is ideal for world-class football stars and was a big part of the city’s field before FIFA.
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It also has nearly 70,000 seats, an ideal gathering place for thousands of football fans around the world.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie says the organization is “excited” that the World Cup has come to Philadelphia.
“We are proud to host the highest level of competition in the game in front of a global audience,” said Lurie. The city of Philadelphia and Lincoln Financial Field are well prepared to provide the international football community with an unforgettable experience in 2026.
pic.twitter.com/cL5M6eP7gg
– Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) June 16, 2022
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will also be played in Canada and Mexico.
FIFA announced the host cities for 2026 on Thursday: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Monterey, New York / New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Seattle and Vancouver.
Your host cities for #FIFAWorldCup 2026:
🇺🇸atlanta🇺🇸boston🇺🇸dallas🇲🇽guadalajara🇺🇸houston🇺🇸kansas city🇺🇸los angeles🇲🇽mexico city🇺🇸miami🇲🇽monterrey🇺🇸new york / new jersey🇺🇸philadelphia🇺🇸san francisco bay area🇺 🇺 🇸Siattle🇨🇦Toronto🇨🇦Vancouver
– World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 16, 2022
CBS3’s Pat Galen has previously spoken to Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin about choosing the city to host the 2026 World Cup.
I have heard small hints in various internal parts that we are in a good place, since we may be an outsider in the typical Philadelphia Union way to be selected for the 2026 World Cup, but if that happens, international people will come. experience all the great things we have here. The whole culture, the whole great fan base we have here. This will be something that will be really special. “It would make me proud to be selfish as a Philadelphian, and I think Philly should be 100% involved in the World Cup,” Curtin said.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenny issued a statement calling it an “incredible victory for Philadelphia.”
This is an incredible victory for Philadelphia and marks the beginning of an unprecedented year for our city in 2026. FIFA has seen what we all know to be true: Philadelphia is a friendly world-class city and we have the experience to provide a fantastic experience for teams, fans and sponsors. A lot of work has been done over the last five years on behalf of this offer, especially after dealing with the long delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am extremely proud of the outstanding work we have presented to FIFA, and I am grateful to the many partners who have come together to support this offer, including the PHLCVB, which manages the fee dating back to the 2016-17 Philadelphia Eagles Joint Offer. made Lincoln Financial Field such a spectacular place. I would especially like to thank Ambassador David L. Cohen and Dan Hilferty, who served as passionate presidents for this offer. Their commitment to the vitality and success of our city cannot be overstated, and FIFA’s choice of Philadelphia as the Host City reflects the strength of their civic leadership. We owe them and much more for this.
Now this is the game that awaits football fans around the world. The summer of 2026 and the World Cup will be here before we know it.
THE WORLD IS COMING TO FILI IN 2026! pic.twitter.com/MzL1T16yPc
– PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) June 16, 2022
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CBS3’s Kerry Corrado and Alice Adams contributed to this report.
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