The World Cup is returning to the United States . . . and perhaps coming to Foxboro.
On Wednesday morning in Moscow, FIFA announced the 2026 World Cup had been awarded to a joint bid from the United States, Mexico and Canada. The U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994, and that event is often credited with the rise of soccer as a major sport in this country.
Winning the 2026 bid -- United 2026, as it was called, won the vote over the only other challenger, Morocco, by a 134-65 margin -- "is an incredible, and incredibly important, moment for soccer in North America and beyond," said Carlos Cordeiro, the president of U.S. Soccer.
There will be 48 teams in the 2026 field, compared to 32 in recent World Cups, and 60 of the 80 games will be played in the United States.
Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, which was one of the World Cup venues in 1994, is expected to host games in 2026. Robert Kraft, owner of both the Patriots and MLS's New England Revolution, is the Honorary Chairman of the Board for United 2026. The complete list of U.S. sites is expected to be chosen by 2020.
Canada and Mexico will each hold 10 games. The final is expected to be played at New York/New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.