PHILADELPHIA - In the past few years, Philadelphia has played host to major events, including the Democratic National Convention, NFL Draft, and Pope's visit. The city is also home to several professional sports teams, including the Philadelphia Union, which has recently seen an uptick in grassroots soccer interest. The Union, led by Jim Curtin, is one of the best teams in the league and won the Supporters' Shield for the best regular-season record in 2020.

The 2026 World Cup will feature soccer teams worldwide and will be staged in cities across three host nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The World Cup is slated to take place in 11 countries. And Philadelphia is among the American cities selected to host the tournament. Other cities in the United States include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Dallas, and New York City. The final dates and locations will be announced later.

"We are thrilled the City of Philadelphia has been selected as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Twenty years ago, when Lincoln Financial Field first opened, we envisioned a world-class venue in a world-class city hosting world-class events. We have welcomed some of the world's most prestigious soccer clubs to our stadium along the way. Now, we are proud to host the game's highest level of competition in front of a global audience. The City of Philadelphia and Lincoln Financial Field are well-prepared to provide the international soccer community with an unforgettable experience in 2026," Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said.

The United States hosted the World Cup in 1994. Brazil won it, which holds the record for the most spectators at any World Cup. In addition, the World Cup is expected to generate between $460 million and $620 million in incremental economic activity, and it's estimated that as many as 450,000 fans will travel to World Cup, and Philadelphia could see a fair share of the revenue in visitor spending.

Not selected cities include Cincinnati; Denver; Edmonton, Canada; Nashville, Tenn.; Orlando, Fla.; and Baltimore.