CHICAGO (July 6, 2017) – The National Federations of Canada, Mexico and the United States have officially formed a United Bid Committee to kick off the bidding process to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to North America. Uniquely suited to handle the expanded format of a 48-team tournament, this unprecedented joint bid will be best positioned to unite the world in celebrating the biggest sporting event on the planet.

As part of the launch, John Kristick has been hired as the Executive Director for the United Bid Committee for the three CONCACAF member federations, and is joined by Jim Brown as Managing Director, Technical Operations. In addition, Canada Soccer General Secretary Peter Montopoli has been appointed Canada Bid Director and Televisa Vice President Yon De Luisa as Mexico Bid Director.

“We are thrilled to kick off the bid process with our partners from Canada and Mexico. This is a special opportunity for North America to unite behind our sport of soccer and the quest to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” said Sunil Gulati, chairman of the United Bid Committee. “The United Bid Committee has the experience and resources to deliver a successful bid, but it will require an enormous team effort over the next eight and half months so we can demonstrate to FIFA the full potential of our three nations and partners in CONCACAF to put on the finest World Cup in history.”

A total of 10 members of the Board of Directors have already confirmed. The members of the Board of Directors include representatives from the three member federations and CONCACAF, and include: Sunil Gulati (Chairman), Steven Reed (Canada), Peter Montopoli (Canada), Decio De Maria (Mexico), Guillermo Cantu (Mexico), Carlos Cordeiro (USA), Donna Shalala (USA), Dan Flynn (USA), Don Garber (USA),Victor Montagliani (CONCACAF).

“Canada Soccer is pleased to take this important step in our collaboration with Mexico and the United States for our united bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the formation of the United Bid Committee,” said Reed. “We are confident that the collective expertise and experience of the Committee members will result in a world class bid worthy of the world’s most popular sport.”

The deadline for the submission of the formal bid to FIFA is March 16, 2018. With less than nine months remaining and anticipating a record number of cities that will compete to serve as official host cities, the Bid Committee will begin formal outreach to cities and stakeholders immediately. The collaboration between all levels of government along with the business and soccer communities will be critical to demonstrate to FIFA that the first World Cup to be held in the CONCACAF region since 1994 should be awarded to Canada, Mexico and the United States.

"For my country today is a very important day,” said De Maria. “These three countries will be very happy to receive the rest of the world and to validate that football allows us to unite countries, that it is a celebration, and that we will receive all those who want to come to enjoy this great party. Offering the possibility for Mexico to organize a third World Cup is very special.”

The three nations have hosted 13 FIFA World Cups combined (men’s, women and youth), which is more than any other trio of geographically-connected nations, and set attendance records for five of those events. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first with the expanded 48-team format, requiring facilities and infrastructure that these countries are uniquely suited to fulfill.

FIFA has established a deadline of August 11 for member associations to confirm their intention to compete to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All competitors must then submit a bid proposal for consideration by the FIFA Congress next June.

Contact Information:

Neil Buethe (USA)

Tel: +1 (312) 528-1270

Email: nbuethe@ussoccer.org

Sandra Gage (Canada)

Tel: +1 (613) 894-8541

Email: sgage@canadasoccer.com

Israel Márquez (Mexico)

Tel: +52 1 (55) 38528119

Email: imarquez@fmf.mx