Statement from Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO, U.S. Soccer Foundation on the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Washington, DC (June 13, 2018) – Today, Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation and United Bid Committee Board Member, released the following statement on the 2026 FIFA World Cup™:

“We’re excited that the United States, alongside our neighbors in Canada and Mexico, will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026. This global event, which will be the largest World Cup to date, will demonstrate the uniting power of the world’s game and its ability to transform lives and communities.

We are looking forward to working with the United Bid and host cities to expand access to the game — especially in underserved communities where access and opportunity to play are often limited.

Together, we will continue to grow the game across North America and build momentum to the 2026 FIFA World Cup by using soccer to help children foster healthy lifestyles and learn critical life skills, connect youth with caring coach-mentors, and ensure neighborhoods have a safe place for the entire community to play.

At the U.S. Soccer Foundation, we’ve set ambitious goals to engage one million children in Soccer for Success—our after-school program—and build 1,000 safe places to play in communities across the country by 2026.

Together, we can make soccer everyone’s game and when the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws to a close, the legacy left behind will benefit communities for years to come.”