New Delhi: FIFA has advanced talks with Las Vegas venues to host the 2026 World Cup draw in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, the world governing body of football has also considered hosting the event in Washington, D.C., if doing so would facilitate President Donald Trump’s widespread participation.
In 1994, the last time the United States hosted a men’s World Cup, Dick Clark organised a gameshow-style event at the Las Vegas Convention Centre for the draw. A number of well-known performers, including Sir Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, and Stevie Wonder (seen above), performed alongside James Brown. The 42nd U.S. President Bill Clinton made an appearance via video link, and the late comedian Robin Williams helped former FIFA president Sepp Blatter with the draw.
FIFA returns to Las Vegas
FIFA has picked a return to Las Vegas as its preferred venue for the event, which will take place in December 2025 and determine the groups for the tournament’s first stage of matches, paving the way to the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Several businesspeople from the host city also favour it since they want to host potential business partners in Sin City both before and after the draw.
Alejandro Hutt, the director of the host city committee for Monterrey, Mexico, told ESPN in January that although they and the Canadian city of Vancouver had expressed interest in holding the draw, FIFA had warned them they would not be given the opportunity. In 11 of the 16 host cities, 75% of the tournament’s games will take place in the United States. According to The Athletic, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, which has 17,000 seats, is one of the venues that FIFA has looked into in Las Vegas.
Venues that have been booked in Vegas
FIFA has also looked into other venues in Las Vegas, such as The Sphere and the T-Mobile Arena, although they are thought to be less feasible due to the huge demand for residencies, holiday concerts, and events in December. The Las Vegas Golden Knights’ home arena, T-Mobile Arena, must also adjust to the demands of the NHL regular season, whose schedule has not yet been made public. In addition to the National Finals Rodeo, which is held at the Thomas & Mack Centre from December 4–13, the world governing body of football would also be vying for hotel rooms in Las Vegas with vacationers.
Over 170,000 people came over ten days in 2024. Over 60,000 people attend Amazon’s AWS re:Invent conference in Las Vegas, which is held in early December every year. FIFA has also asked about the smaller, 6,400-seat Dolby Live stadium, but according to early feedback from MGM, the venue’s operator, it would rather to keep it available for residencies or holiday concerts. Although Bruno Mars and Lenny Kravitz have several performances scheduled at Dolby Live this summer, Mariah Carey’s residency has undoubtedly been the Dolby’s crown gem over the last 12 months. FIFA’s options are limited since the Dolby is eager to keep room in its calendar for her future appearances, even if her December schedule has not yet been revealed. Last year, she visited 20 cities during her holiday season tour.
FIFA is reportedly considering Las Vegas as the host city for the 2026 World Cup draw, revisiting the iconic venue that staged the same event in 1994. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
