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Soccer-Infantino says soccer to be top U.S. sport by 2026 World Cup -Breaking

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© Reuters. Jun 16, 2022, New York (USA); A view from the hallway showing the FIFA World Cup logo and leading to the FIFA World Cup Announcement Room. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

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By Amy Tennery

NEW YORK, Reuters -FIFA President Gianni Intino stated that soccer is expected to become the most important sport in North America by 2026. This was announced as host cities for the tournament.

The 16 countries selected by FIFA, the world soccer governing body, announced their success from 22 submissions at a Rockefeller Center special event in New York.

There was however no way to know where either the first or final game would take place.

Infantino predicted, as new-elected host cities rejoiced: “By 2026 football or soccer will be the most popular sport in this area of the world.”

USA hosted the 1994 tournament and will be hosting games in Seattle/San Francisco, Los Angeles/Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta/Houston, Boston, Philadelphia/Miami, New York/New Jersey.

Mexico hosted the World Cup in 1972 and 1986. Canada will host the event in Vancouver and Toronto for the first-time.

Infantino declared, “It was very competitive for FIFA World Cup. We’ll have all the world here. It’ll be an exciting tournament.”

He said that there was no final decision on the location.

Infantino stated that there are still discussions and they will choose the top cities for opening and final matches. However, every match in the World Cup will be final.

The six cities left behind were Cincinnati, Denver and Nashville as well as Orlando, Washington DC/Baltimore, Washington DC/Baltimore, Edmonton, Orlando, Washington DC/Baltimore, and Washington DC.

FANS WAVING

For the announcement, there were cheering fans outside New York waving American, Canadian, Mexican and Mexican flags. Christian Pulisic (23-year-old forward at Chelsea) was also present.

Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco (NYSE:) hosted a private party, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams attended a party at Liberty State Park.

Jonathan Osorio is a Canadian national soccer player, and a Toronto native. He said that as an infant, he never could have imagined watching a World Cup in Canada.

He said, “It is amazing — it’s incredible that the World Cup finally comes to Canada… It’s an unbelievable feat for the entire country.”

Famous celebrities like Michael Buble (representing Vancouver), Magic Johnson, Patrick Mahomes and Sergio Perez, F1 driver (Guadalajara), and Gloria Estefan (Miami), shared messages on screen celebrating inclusion in their communities.

Expect the tournament to surpass World Cup attendance records in 2026, which reached 3.6million in 1994 when it was hosted in the United States.

This year, 48 teams will compete in the tournament for the first-ever time. That’s an increase of the 32 participating in Qatar this year.

Pulisic stated, “To be part of (the Qatar World Cup), and to then have one in my country is going to amazing.”

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