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Representatives from 11 U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup unveiled plans for lasting community impact, focusing on cultural equity, infrastructure, and youth sports.
FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to become a cultural landmark. (X)
One year before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, representatives from all 11 host cities in the United States have unveiled plans to ensure the tournament leaves a lasting impact on their communities, focusing on cultural equity, infrastructure, and youth sports access.
During a panel at the Paley Center for Media in New York on Monday, officials from the host cities shared their initiatives to enhance cultural inclusion, expand opportunities for youth, and invest in public infrastructure.
One of the most notable efforts is Seattle’s Chinese American Art Legacy Project, a $250,000 city-funded programme aimed at highlighting the historical contributions of Chinese Americans in the city’s Chinatown-International District.
April Putney, representing Seattle’s host committee, explained that the project embodies the city’s “people-based legacy” approach. “We’re working hand-in-hand with local communities,” Putney noted. “It’s not just about hosting matches; it’s about who gets to be part of the story.”
Putney emphasised that the Chinatown district, located just steps from the stadium, is central to Seattle’s fan and cultural programming. “We want local businesses and residents to benefit directly,” she added.
Other cities are adopting similarly localised strategies: Los Angeles is providing grants to community nonprofits; Miami is organising a culturally immersive Fan Festival; Kansas City is testing a new regional transit model; and Dallas is investing in youth soccer infrastructure and media capacity.
While FIFA manages the tournament’s competitive structure, U.S. cities are focused on making the event inclusive and locally significant. Free public viewing zones, grassroots partnerships, and regional branding efforts are part of a broader plan to use the World Cup as a catalyst for long-term civic benefits.
The 2026 tournament will take place in 16 cities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with the United States hosting 60 matches, including the final.
(with IANS inputs)
- Location :
New York, United States of America (USA)
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