A FIFA delegation is in Cincinnati Friday, sizing up the city for the World Cup.The Queen City is one of 17 cities competing for 10 U.S. host sites for the 2026 World Cup.Friday, the city is planning on putting its best foot forward, with a festival along the riverfront — at The Banks — to welcome the delegation. It starts at 2 p.m. with free food and giveaways, and continues until 5 p.m. with live music. FIFA and U.S. Soccer Delegation will visit several sites across the city, including Paul Brown Stadium, soccer training facilities and Fan Fest locations.Dignitaries from across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana are slated to meet with FIFA officials, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear; Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb; Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted; and President and CEO of Procter & Gamble Colin Smith. “This opportunity comes around once in 100 years,” FC Cincinnati president Jeff Berding said earlier this year on the initial bid. “We've never had an opportunity like this and it's right at our fingertips.”If selected, games could be held at Paul Brown Stadium.Replacing the Bengals turf field with grass and removing the four lower corners of seating to fit a FIFA regulation size field are the two main requirements for Paul Brown Stadium to host games.And Berding says that is all part of the plan if they pick Cincinnati to be on the world stage.“It’s literally the largest sporting event in the world, with a global TV audience that's 10 times the Super Bowl. More than half the people on the globe watched the last FIFA World Cup. So the economic impact in this is extraordinary," Berding said.From $90 to $480 million is the economic boost 2026 host cities could see. And for small businesses like Rhinehaus in OTR, which is one of the biggest soccer bars in town, a hometown World Cup would be a dream come true.“The World Cup crowds we'd get here anyway are incredible,” said Rhinehaus owner Aaron Kohlhepp. “There's probably still stains of beer on the ceiling from goal celebrations. So having it in our own backyard would be really something special. I think this city is shown in the past several years that we're a soccer city to be reckoned with. And I think we deserve it. I think it would be fantastic.”FIFA plans to officially announce the host cities for the 2026 World Cup in the last quarter of this year.
A FIFA delegation is in Cincinnati Friday, sizing up the city for the World Cup.
The Queen City is one of 17 cities competing for 10 U.S. host sites for the 2026 World Cup.
Friday, the city is planning on putting its best foot forward, with a festival along the riverfront — at The Banks — to welcome the delegation. It starts at 2 p.m. with free food and giveaways, and continues until 5 p.m. with live music.
FIFA and U.S. Soccer Delegation will visit several sites across the city, including Paul Brown Stadium, soccer training facilities and Fan Fest locations.
Dignitaries from across Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana are slated to meet with FIFA officials, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear; Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb; Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted; and President and CEO of Procter & Gamble Colin Smith.
“This opportunity comes around once in 100 years,” FC Cincinnati president Jeff Berding said earlier this year on the initial bid. “We've never had an opportunity like this and it's right at our fingertips.”
If selected, games could be held at Paul Brown Stadium.
Replacing the Bengals turf field with grass and removing the four lower corners of seating to fit a FIFA regulation size field are the two main requirements for Paul Brown Stadium to host games.
And Berding says that is all part of the plan if they pick Cincinnati to be on the world stage.
“It’s literally the largest sporting event in the world, with a global TV audience that's 10 times the Super Bowl. More than half the people on the globe watched the last FIFA World Cup. So the economic impact in this is extraordinary," Berding said.
From $90 to $480 million is the economic boost 2026 host cities could see. And for small businesses like Rhinehaus in OTR, which is one of the biggest soccer bars in town, a hometown World Cup would be a dream come true.
“The World Cup crowds we'd get here anyway are incredible,” said Rhinehaus owner Aaron Kohlhepp. “There's probably still stains of beer on the ceiling from goal celebrations. So having it in our own backyard would be really something special. I think this city is shown in the past several years that we're a soccer city to be reckoned with. And I think we deserve it. I think it would be fantastic.”
FIFA plans to officially announce the host cities for the 2026 World Cup in the last quarter of this year.
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