World football governing body FIFA will distribute 100,000 balls to 500 American cities to build excitement across the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced.
Infantino says the competition will be “a celebration of humanity, bringing people together in joy and football spirit”.
Speaking to delegates at the United States Conference of Mayors’ (USCM) Winter Meeting held in Washington, D.C., Infantino said the cities represented by each of the 500 members would receive 200 balls each ahead of the tournament, which the US is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico.
Eleven of the tournament’s 16 Host Cities are in the United States, as well as the majority of Team Base Camps.
FIFA said the balls can then be used in celebratory events in the build-up to the tournament, which kicks off on 11 June.
“With 48 teams, 104 matches and 16 Host Cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be a celebration of humanity, bringing people together in joy and football spirit. I was delighted to meet the mayors of the 11 US Host Cities who will welcome the world in 2026, each bringing their own unique energy to this historic event,” said the FIFA President.
During the meeting, Mr Infantino met the mayors of each of the 11 US-based Host Cities for the tournament, which will be the first to feature 48 teams.
Additionally, many cities beyond those where the 104 matches will be played will be used as base camps for the competing teams. Of the 64 proposed Team Base Camps currently, 50 are in the US.
Infantino told delegates that US cities are expected to enjoy a significant collective economic boost of some USD 30 billion as over seven million fans from around the world come to the tournament.
“We were thrilled to welcome FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the FIFA World Cup trophy to our winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors,” said USCM President Mayor David Holt in a social media post.
“His generous and spontaneous announcement of a donation of 200 soccer balls to every member city was a highlight of the week!”
Courtesy of FIFA.
