    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    2026 FIFA WORLD CUP--CANADA, MEXICO, AND THE UNITED STATES--
    <> UNITED BID COMMITTEE--
    RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT

    Whereas soccer is one of the fastest growing and most popular sports in
    the world and the FIFA World Cup competition is the single most
    important event in that sport;

    [[Page 5608]]

    Whereas the United States successfully hosted in nine cities throughout
    the Nation the 1994 FIFA World Cup competition, which was broadcast
    to billions of fans around the world and set an attendance record of
    nearly 3.6 million, which remains unbroken today;

    Whereas the 1994 FIFA World Cup competition served as a catalyst for the
    increased popularity and development of the game throughout the
    United States, as well as the introduction of Major League Soccer,
    the United States national first division professional soccer
    league;

    Whereas United States Soccer Federation and its counterparts in Canada
    and Mexico have established a United Bid Committee to prepare and
    submit an unprecedented joint bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup
    competition in North America;

    Whereas Canada, the United States, and Mexico share core beliefs in
    justice, freedom, equality, and opportunity, and have a long history
    of partnership, innovation, and growth together on our shared
    continent;

    Whereas for the first time in history the 2026 FIFA World Cup will
    include teams from 48 nations and presents an opportunity for
    Canada, Mexico, and the United States as host countries to
    demonstrate the highest achievable standards and serve as a
    benchmark for future organizers;

    Whereas North America is home to one of the most competitive and
    advanced professional sports landscapes in the world that is
    continually updating to take advantage of the latest innovations and
    modernizations;

    Whereas numerous American cities have been named by the United Bid
    Committee as candidates to serve as hosts to FIFA World Cup matches
    in 2026, with each of these cities embodying the diversity and
    enthusiasm shared by the entire Nation and guaranteeing each
    participating team and its followers a ``home team'' atmosphere;

    Whereas the United States and its neighbors offer FIFA a valuable and
    receptive market within which to further develop the sport of
    soccer, which in turn will have significant impact on and off the
    field in both the United States and throughout the world;

    Whereas the United States possesses all necessary state-of-the-art
    infrastructure in its stadiums and potential host cities to ensure
    that the competition sets a new standard of quality, comfort,
    security, and safety for players, officials, spectators, media, and
    sponsors alike;

    Whereas hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the
    United States promises record-setting attendance and financial
    performance, allowing revenues and tourism generated by the
    competition to be used for the further development of soccer, FIFA's
    objectives of positive social and environmental change, and further
    economic growth throughout our Nation;

    Whereas hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition in Canada, Mexico,
    and the United States would serve as a tremendous impetus to
    national and international goodwill, as the competition would bring
    people from many nations, along with a diverse public, together
    under one banner of peace, friendship, and spirited and fair
    competition;

    [[Page 5609]]

    Whereas the historical tradition of inclusivity in the United States is
    shared by Canada and Mexico and the three countries are eager to
    welcome the players, spectators, and visitors who may travel to
    North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games; and

    Whereas pursuant to FIFA bidding procedures, the President of the United
    States and certain Federal agencies have been asked to issue
    guarantees that upon authorization or appropriation, would establish
    the conditions required to help make the 2026 FIFA World Cup
    competition the most successful in history: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
    That the Congress--
    (1) recognizes and supports the efforts of the United Bid
    Committee to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition to
    Canada, Mexico, and the United States;
    (2) encourages the President of the United States and
    appropriate Federal agencies to support the United Bid Committee
    in its efforts to meet all requirements for the United States to
    jointly host with Canada and Mexico the 2026 FIFA World Cup
    competition; and
    (3) stands prepared to give full consideration to
    legislative proposals or other requests by the President to
    provide support related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition,
    if Canada, Mexico, and the United States are selected to host
    this event.

    Agreed to June 12, 2018.