2026 FIFA World Cup: With one year to go for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, representatives from all 11 United States host cities have outlined their long-term strategies to turn the global football event into a driver of social impact, ranging from cultural equity and infrastructure development to youth sports engagement.
At a panel held on Monday at the Paley Centre for Media in New York, city officials detailed initiatives designed to promote inclusion, community participation, and sustained investment.
Seattle’s Chinese American Art Legacy Project is a standout initiative. It has received USD 250,000 in city funding to celebrate the historical contributions of Chinese Americans to the Chinatown-International District.
The project is part of a broader effort to root the tournament’s legacy in local narratives.
April Putney, representing Seattle’s host committee, said, “We’re working hand-in-hand with local communities,” Putney said. “It’s not just about hosting matches, it’s about who gets to be part of the story.”
Putney also noted that the Chinatown district, located close to the stadium, will play a key role in Seattle’s fan and cultural programmes.
“We want local businesses and residents to benefit directly,” she further added in response to a query from Xinhua.
Other host cities are tailoring efforts to their unique communities:
- Los Angeles is offering grants to local nonprofits,
- Miami is preparing a culturally immersive Fan Festival,
- Kansas City is launching a new regional transit model, and
- Dallas is expanding its youth football infrastructure and building media capacity
While FIFA manages the sporting elements, local organisers are focused on ensuring that the World Cup leaves a lasting civic footprint.
Plans, however, include free public viewing areas and collaborations with grassroots groups. Regional branding is also part of the effort to make the tournament a shared community experience.
The 2026 World Cup will hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The US will host 60 of the tournament’s matches, including the final.
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