On Thursday, Miami secured a spot as one of the cities to host the 2026 World Cup. Crowds gathered at a watch party in Fritz and Franz In Coral Gables with bated breath as the announcement was made.
It will be the first tournament jointly hosted by three countries; Mexico, Canada, and the United States. FIFA selected 10 American cities to host the 48-team tournament, including New York, San Francisco, and Miami.
“Miami is sort of the gateway to the Caribbean,” said Ari Odzer, a WTVJ reporter who attended the watch party. “So all those soccer fans can come here for a game.”
The FIFA World Cup is the most-watched sporting event. An event that will put Miami on the map.
The choice of Miami is significant. Authorities said there would be an economic impact of hundreds of millions of dollars, and 800 jobs would be created.