Rose Bowl officials have taken part in virtual conferences with FIFA and U.S. Soccer to further their bid to bring the 2026 World Cup to Pasadena, the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee announced Tuesday.
The Rose Bowl, along with SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, discussed logistics related to potentially hosting World Cup games at their respective arenas in conferences led by the L.A. World Cup Host Committee, the committee said in a written statement.
Darryl Dunn, who serves as CEO and general manager of the Rose Bowl, said Pasadena would be an ideal place.
“To think we could have the honor of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be incredible,” Dunn said. “We are proud of our history, which includes playing host to the 1994 FIFA Men’s World Cup Final and the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, and we hope to once again welcome the world to Pasadena in 2026.”
The 2026 World Cup is to take place in locations across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, according to the L.A. World Cup Host Committee.
“Los Angeles is bidding for the opportunity to host multiple matches, a fan festival and other ancillary events,” the statement said. “The Host Committee is expecting FIFA to finalize the 16 host cities from the proposed slate of 23 candidates by the end of 2021.”
Visits to both Southern California stadiums were expected as part of the selection process.
Related:
Rose Bowl Could Get 2026 World Cup
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One thought on “Rose Bowl Continues Pursuing 2026 World Cup”
Please, No! The last time Pasadena hosted a game, the city had not plans to accomodate celebrating fans during the week. I remember, when the U.S. beat Colombia, and fans streamed out of Old Town bars to celebrate, the cops started arresting people for anything. I got arrested for giving a high-five to a girl waving a U.S. flag from the car. Traffic had already slowed to a crawl, and I walked into Colorado Blvd., gave the high-five, and got cuffed by a PPD officer. My friend and I pleaded that we were just heading home, but the cop would was not being practical. They were just trying to fill an arrest quota, to prove to their European doubters, that they could handle a World Cup crowd. They behaved disgracefully. Of course, when Brazil won the cup, they closed Old Town to traffic.