Is USA World Cup Worthy? FIFA Inspection Delegation Coming To America

The campaign for the United States to be selected as host of the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022 will move to the next phase for the USA Bid Committee when the FIFA Inspection Delegation visits the U.S. next week, Monday, Sept. 6, to Thursday, Sept. 9.

The six-person delegation will arrive in New York City on Sept. 6, ahead of a three-day visit of five U.S. cities representing the 18 candidate host cities of the United States bid—New York/New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Miami, Dallas and Houston. 

During this important tour, the FIFA Inspection Delegation will have the opportunity to experience firsthand some of the U.S. bid’s proposed stadiums, training sites, FIFA Fan Fest venues, transportation, hotels, media facilities and much more.

“On behalf of our cities and people, the USA Bid Committee is honored to welcome the FIFA Delegation to the United States,” said Sunil Gulati, president of U.S. Soccer and chairman of USA Bid Committee. 

"Our respect for the importance of this visit is matched only by our passion for the game and our commitment to deliver a bid that will be considered worthy of hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.  To the FIFA Family and the global soccer community, we pledge and promise our very best and look forward to sharing our vision with the FIFA Delegation throughout the tour next week.”

Gulati and the USA Bid Committee will host the FIFA Inspection Delegation led by Harold Mayne-Nicholls, the president of the Chile Football Association.  

The FIFA Delegation also includes: Dr. Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup local organizing committee in South Africa; Jürgen Müller, FIFA Head of Event Management; Wolfgang Eichler, FIFA Media Officer; David Fowler, FIFA Marketing; and Julio Avellar, FIFA Competitions.

Representatives of all 18 United States candidate host cities will be among the first people to greet the FIFA Delegation on Monday, Sept. 6, when they gather for a private reception at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City to celebrate the FIFA Delegation’s arrival in the United States.

Sunil Gulati quotes courtesy of FIFA.