[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;


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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;


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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.