I found out some additional information about where FIFA is at and some timelines of things. It seems details are a bit more open among US cities in terms of the process currently going on. Our bid committee has not said as much.
According to the Atlanta bid committee:
FIFA isn’t requiring a detailed funding plan until the year after the host cities are selected.
In our case, FIFA obviously would want to know province is in before selecting Edmonton.
They expect FIFA to announce North American host cities for the 2026 men’s World Cup in “early to mid May”
They don't expect the planned May announcement of the sites to specify which cities would host which games. “They’re going to name the cities and then work on the schedule in 2023, so that’s when your level in the tournament is determined."
At this point, talks with FIFA and Atlanta have been mostly about technical aspects such as the field, which is also artifical turf.
“It’s been very technical-based: the type of blades of grass, the ventilation, the irrigation systems, things of that nature. They’re working now on coming back to us as to the timeline of when they would want (grass) installed at the stadium. … We are comfortable (it can be done).
Atlanta expects it will cost $46million US to host - and it is a public/private partnership. Interesting.
Also, I received this from Coun. Cartmell as I had posed a question about support from the region.
"Neighboring municipalities are supportive, and they have relayed their support to their local government MLAs. If successful, there would be a regional opportunity available for those surrounding municipalities. That support could be more public, but it certainly is there."
I agree - our neighbours could be more vocal and even the business community.
Here is link to Atlanta story.
Will World Cup soccer matches be played in Atlanta in 2026? And how about college basketball’s Final Four a few years after that?
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