BALTIMORE — Soccer fans in Baltimore/Washington D.C. were denied their opportunity to watch the top international players on the largest stage.
Baltimore and Washington D.C., which submitted a joint bit, were not selected to host FIFA World Cup Games in 2026.
Games will be played in America, Canada and Mexico.
Baltimore was hoping to host international soccer games at M&T Bank Stadium in downtown Baltimore. Washington, D.C. wanted to host a FIFA World Cup Fan Fest.
These North American cities were selected: Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Monterrey, Mexico City, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami and New York/New Jersey.
The announcement was made around 5 p.m. Thursday, nationally televised on Fox Sports 1.
The 2026 World Cup will include 48 teams. The United States will host 60 games, while Canada and Mexico will host 10 games each.
Will Baltimore play host to FIFA World Cup in 2026?
— Dave Detling (@WMARDave) June 16, 2022
Soccer fans in the Charm City say yes!
Waiting on the announcement.@WMAR2News pic.twitter.com/ITQ2NctNLq
"This is the biggest and most important sporting event globally," Chris Canetti, president of the 2026 Houston World Cup Bid told ABC. "That would be the equivalent of hosting five or six super bowls in Houston in three weeks."
A Baltimore watch party was held at Abbey Burger Bistro in Fells Point, located at 811 S. Broadway.
The FIFA World Cup was last hosted in the United States in 1994.
