And now it looks very likely that the biggest sporting event on Earth could land in South Florida in eight years. This morning, FIFA voted to give the 2026 World Cup to a joint bid from the United States, Canada, and Mexico — and Miami was one of the host cities pitched in the winning package.
Last summer, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez pitched the United Bid Committee, the group making the joint presentation from the three nations, on including South Florida in the proposed World Cup. Miami's credentials are obvious: Hard Rock Stadium is a ready-made venue for giant soccer events — as evidenced by the 70,000-plus crowds that have packed in every year for the International Champions Cup games.From Edmonton to Mexico City and everywhere in between, we are united.
— United 2026 (@united2026) June 12, 2018
| #United2026 pic.twitter.com/1aJu4VknSU
Miami had an extra inside track on its spot in the bid because former University of Miami president — and current local congressional candidate — Donna Shalala serves on the United Bid Committee.
There's still a long way to go to sort out the exact plans for the 2026 World Cup, but with the games officially coming to America in eight years, it's looking like a fair bet that some of the madness will be based in Miami.
The secondary contest among crooked politicos, developers, and organizers across South Florida is surely afoot already.