Reed, Bipartisan Senators Team Up in Support of U.S.-Canada-Mexico United Bid for 2026 FIFA World Cup

WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to bring the 2026 World Cup to North America and bring
more international tourism to Rhode Island and New England, U.S. Senators Jack Reed
(D-RI) has teamed up with Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and 41 of their
Senate colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to President Trump expressing
support for United 2026 – a bid by the United States, Canada, and Mexico to jointly
host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

«We believe this effort presents an exceptional opportunity to showcase our nations’
shared passion for soccer and its positive impact in local communities and on the
international stage,» the 44 Senators wrote. «Dozens of U.S. cities that we
represent have already conveyed their interest in being part of the United Bid
effort that will showcase America, promote tourism, and stimulate economic growth.»

«Through a united World Cup bid, we have the opportunity to promote and celebrate
the positive impact soccer has had for millions of Americans,» they continued. «We
welcome your support for the United Bid to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to North
America, and we look forward to working with you to advance this important effort.»

As part of the United 2026 effort, cities across the nation are pursuing
opportunities to be part of the combined bid to host teams from around the world as
well as matches drawing thousands of fans to the United States. If selected, this
would be the first World Cup to be hosted in three countries. The Senators will
continue to work with their colleagues in both the Senate and the House to further
expand bipartisan support for the effort to bring the World Cup to the United
States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.

«I fully support the united bid by the U.S. and our neighbors in Mexico and Canada
to bring the World Cup here in 2026. We have the stadium infrastructure in place,
including great venues like Gillette Stadium that would make excellent host sites
for the games and bring a lot of international visitors to Rhode Island,» noted
Senator Reed.

In addition to U.S. Senators Van Hollen, Blunt, and Reed, the letter was co-authored
by Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kamala Harris (D-CA).
Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Marco Rubio
(R-FL), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL.), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jerry
Moran (R-KS), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Angus
King (I-ME), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina
Smith (D-MN), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Richard Burr (R-NC),
Thom Tillis (R-NC), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cory Booker (D-NJ),
Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NM), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Dean
Heller (R-NV), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bob Casey (D-PA), Pat Toomey
(R-PA), Bob Corker (R-TN), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Mike Lee (R-UT), Orrin Hatch
(R-UT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Patty Murray (D-WA).

The full text of the letter follows:

Dear Mr. President,

We write to express our support for the United Bid by Canada, Mexico and the United
States to jointly host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We believe this effort presents an
exceptional opportunity to showcase our nations’ shared passion for soccer and its
positive impact in local communities and on the international stage.

Millions of Americans play or watch soccer at youth, collegiate, recreational and
professional levels today. The sport spans generations, cultures, and languages –
connecting fans and athletes with others across the globe who have a common love for
the game. Comprising a melting pot of identities, cultures, and races, Americans
proudly unite behind their team in the World Cup competition, and enjoy ties to the
multiplicity of nationalities that come together for this tournament every four
years.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a total of 48 participating national teams and 80
matches, will be the largest in the history of the competition. As one of three host
nations, the United States would have the opportunity to deepen the relationship
between our citizens and the extended global soccer community, and to further foster
the spirit of sportsmanship and inclusivity that defines the sport. It would build
on a successful legacy for our three nations, which together have hosted 13
FIFA-sponsored tournaments. Dozens of U.S. cities that we represent have already
conveyed their interest in being part of the United Bid effort that will showcase
America, promote tourism, and stimulate economic growth.

Through a united World Cup bid, we have the opportunity to promote and celebrate the
positive impact soccer has had for millions of Americans. We welcome your support
for the United Bid to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to North America, and we look
forward to working with you to advance this important effort.