US, Mexico, Canada to host 2026 World Cup, which likely means Levi’s Stadium gets a match

FIFA voted on Wednesday for the 2026 World Cup host, and they decided to accept the joint bid of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The bid beat out Morocco’s bid, which was the only other one presented. Considering Morocco projected $5 billion in profits while the joint bid projected $11 billion in profits, it’s easy to know why FIFA countries voted the way they did.

The united bid included 23 potential host cities, with that total to be cut down to 16 for the event. Among the cities/regions included in the bid is “San Francisco Bay Area.” While the Oakland Coliseum could host a soccer match, “San Francisco Bay Area” is meant to be Santa Clara.

Levi’s Stadium has hosted numerous world class soccer matches, and the San Jose Earthquakes call the region home. The 49ers issued a press release upon word of the vote for the united bid. Team president Al Guido commented on the decision, citing Levi’s Stadium’s success in hosting the Copa America Centenario and the Gold Cup.

“Levi’s Stadium has seen the world soccer stage for the Copa America Centenario and the Gold Cup, and we are humbled to now be preparing for the once-in-a-lifetime possibility of hosting the FIFA World Cup,” said Al Guido, 49ers President. “I want to congratulate the United Bid team for leading a collaborative process that leveraged the best of what each of its candidate host cities has to offer. We look forward to working with them and FIFA to celebrate the world’s game and contribute to its growth throughout our region for 2026 and beyond.”

The 49ers and Santa Clara have had their issues cooperating with each other, but Levi’s Stadium has developed into a host for numerous world class sporting events, and soccer in particular. The stadium has the dimensions to host a World Cup match, and while I doubt it gets the finals, I could see it getting a qualifying match and maybe an elimination round match.

Here are all the host cities on the US bid. Seven will be cut between now and 2026.

CANADA

• Edmonton
• Montreal
• Toronto

MEXICO

• Guadalajara
• Mexico City
• Monterrey

UNITED STATES

• Atlanta
• Baltimore
• Boston
• Cincinnati
• Dallas
• Denver
• Houston
• Kansas City
• Los Angeles
• Miami
• Nashville
• New York/New Jersey
• Orlando
• Philadelphia
• San Francisco Bay Area
• Seattle
• Washington, D.C.