World Cup final should be played on biggest stage, say New York and New Jersey
The world's biggest game needs to be played on the world's biggest stage says New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who along with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy are making a pitch to land the 2026 World Cup Final.
The United States, Canada and Mexico will co-host the global soccer showcase in three years and the big prize still up for grabs is the venue for the final match.
Dallas and Houston along with Miami are expected to throw their hats in the ring while Los Angeles and its futuristic $5.5 billion SoFi Stadium appears to be the early front-runner along with New York/New Jersey.
But during a call with Reuters, Adams and Murphy made it clear that, as they see it, there is only one choice.
"The biggest game should be played on the biggest stage and there is no stage bigger on the globe than this region," Adams told Reuters.
A YouGov online survey of professional soccer fans from across the US released on Wednesday agreed with Adams and Murphy that New York/New Jersey was the preferred place for the final.
The survey found 21 per cent of those polled wanted the final in New York/New Jersey followed by Los Angeles with 17 per cent and Miami 10 per cent.
But 25 per cent polled expect to see Los Angeles awarded the marquee match with New York/New Jersey on 23 per cent.
Fifa is expected to announce the locations for marquee games, including the World Cup Final, later this year.
Co-hosting is nothing new to New York/New Jersey, the cities having combined resources to stage the 2014 Super Bowl with New Jersey's MetLife Stadium the venue for the game and New York providing the glitz and glamour.
The plan would be the same for the final with the 82 000 seat MetLife getting the match and celebratory events - on both sides
Read on supersport.com
