Some of the biggest U.S. sporting towns decided not to host any World Cup games, fearing a ‘major financial burden to our cities’
Several major U.S. cities, including Chicago and Phoenix, have opted out of hosting games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These cities cited concerns over significant financial burdens and FIFA's demanding requirements, which included waiving taxes and shouldering security costs without adequate financial protections. Despite the global appeal of hosting such a large event, the potential risks and costs were deemed too high for these communities. AI
