SoFi Stadium FIFA show hosting in jeopardy

Article posted by Coliseum, March 21^st, 2023

Image: Coliseum GSVA

Los Angeles believed it would host the 2026 World Cup final, but the layout of the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, US, reportedly puts that ambition in jeopardy.

The SoFi Stadium is one of the finest venues in the United States;
But the field might not be wide enough for the final; and
Capacity also a concern.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup™ will be the 23^rd FIFA World Cup™, the quadrennial international men’s soccer championship contested by the national teams of the member-associations of FIFA. It will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and will be held from June 11^th-July 19^th, 2026.

The SoFi Stadium is a 70,240-seat sports and entertainment indoor stadium in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood, California, United States. The SoFi Stadium occupies the former site of the Hollywood Park Racetrack, three miles from the Los Angeles International Airport and immediately Southeast of the 17,505-capacity The Kia Forum.

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What Happened?

‘GOAL’ stated that there’s a genuine chance that FIFA will award the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium in New Jersey the 2026 World Cup final unless the SoFi Stadium, which was financed by the Premier League club Arsenal F.C. (UK) owner Stan Kroenke, makes changes.

While Los Angeles is guaranteed to host games earlier in the tournament, the width of the SoFi Stadium’s field reportedly needs to be increased for the final – possibly by as much as 63 feet – which would mean removing some of the seats close to the pitch and raising the playing surface. Additionally, a capacity of 70,000 may be deemed too small for the deciding match.

The Bigger Picture

‘GOAL’ further stated that if Los Angeles doesn’t host the World Cup final, the New York metro area would be seen as a possible alternative, with the National Football League’s (NFL’s) MetLife Stadium already set to put on other games in the competition.

And What’s More

The last time the World Cup was in the United States, the Los Angeles area hosted the final at the 89,702-capacity Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.

Did You Know?

FIFA announced recently that the 2026 World Cup would be expanded to a record 104 matches.

What Next For Sofi Stadium?

Kroenke is no doubt aware of the issue, and he has three years to work out how to ensure the World Cup final takes place in his state-of-the-art venue. However, the capacity concerns may be difficult to handle.

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