World Cup Soccer May Come To Rose Bowl And Rams Stadium

LOS ANGELES, CA — First the Olympics and now the World Cup! There is a good chance the world will turn its eyes to Los Angeles again in 2026 with FIFA awarding the 2026 men's World Cup to North America today. As soon as the announcement was made, two Los Angeles arenas — the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and the future Rams stadium in Inglewood — were identified as potential game arenas.

A joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico was approved by FIFA Wednesday could bring the international soccer event back to the Los Angeles region for the first time since 1994. North America beat out Morocco for the chance to host the 2026 men's World Cup. The United Bid received 134 of 200 votes cast, Morocco received 65 votes, and one single member association voted not to choose either of the two bids.

By far, the most games will be played in the United States, which will host 60 matches. Mexico and Canada will each stage 10 games apiece. Of 23 cities identified as potential hosts, at least 16 will be selected as venues for games.

In Los Angeles County, Pasadena's Rose Bowl is listed as a potential site along with the future NFL stadium being built in Inglewood. It won't be the first time the Rose Bowl hosted a World Cup game. The storied arena staged the championship game when the World Cup was held in the United States in 1994 across nine cities. The U.S. has also hosted two women's World Cups, in 1999 and 2003, with the Rose Bowl also serving as the site of the championship game when the U.S. women's team won.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti praised the news on Twitter, writing, "Yes!!! The 2026 World Cup is coming to North America! We can't wait to show @FIFAWorldCup and @United2026 that Los Angeles is the perfect host. #goals"

The other U.S. cities under consideration by FIFA are:

-- Atlanta

-- Baltimore

-- Boston

-- Cincinnati

-- Dallas

-- Denver

-- Houston

-- Kansas City

-- Miami

-- Nashville

-- New York/New Jersey

-- Orlando

-- Philadelphia

-- San Francisco Bay Area

-- Seattle

-- Washington, D.C.

City News Service and Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report. Photo: OCTOBER 10: Christian Pulisic (L) of the United States mens national team is tackled by Kevon Villaroel (R) of Trinidad and Tobago during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Trinidad and Tobago at the Ato Boldon Stadium on October 10, 2017 in Couva, Trinidad And Tobago. (Photo by Ashley Allen/Getty Images)