The City of Orlando is being asked to submit a bid to host the 2026 World Cup soccer games.
Mayor Buddy Dyer's office says the request is coming from a group that is putting in a joint bid for the U.S., Canada and Mexico for that 2026 FIFA World Cup and it wants Orlando to be part of the deal.
The city says it is interested, and has a track record of hosting world class sporting events. The bid requirements are now being evaluated.
The Orlando Sentinel reports Dyer received a letter earlier this month from U.S. Soccer president and chairman of the United Bid Committee Sunil Gulati. “We believe Orlando is a strong candidate for participation in this process, given your support of soccer, stadium facilities and tourism infrastructure you already have in place,” read a portion of the letter. “A cornerstone of our bid will be the reliance on existing infrastructure in our great cities."
Orlando’s served as a host in the 1994 World Cup and Copa América Centenario matches last summer. The city also will host a 2018 World Cup qualifying match at Orlando City Stadium on Oct. 6.
Bid requirements are now being evaluated.