Levi's Stadium could host 2026 World Cup games

SANTA CLARA - The Bay Area is among the communities being considered to play host to the 2026 World Cup, the three-country bid committee announced.

The United Bid Committee of the United States, Canada and Mexico is considering 49 stadiums in 44 cities, including Levi’s Stadium. Committee officials also plan to explore interest from San Diego and three stadiums in the Los Angeles area. Seven cities from Canada and three from Mexico were among those named Tuesday.

North American officials expect to submit their bid by mid-March next year to FIFA, soccer’s world governing body that will award the month long event. The only candidates are Morocco and North America. The decision could be made by June 2018. The joint bid team announced that it plans to make initial cuts next month after communities declare their interest by Sept. 5. Officials plan to submit a bid with as many as 25 stadiums and 12 official host cities.

The United States has been the host nation for the World Cup once, in 1994, while Mexico has played host two times, the most recent being in 1986. This would be Canada’s first time as a host of the men’s World Cup after running the women’s event in 2015.

Levi’s has established itself as a top location for international soccer, having hosted the CONCACAF Gold Cup final last month and four games during the 2016 Copa America.

It has proven to be a popular site for major events because of the proximity to Avaya Stadium, Stanford and San Jose State, which have been used as practice facilities for international teams. Stanford hosted six games during the 1994 World Cup, including a quarterfinal featuring Sweden and Romania.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first with a 48-team field. Morocco has also declared its intention to bid for the event.