Executive leadership of the United Soccer Leagues offered their praise on Wednesday morning for FIFA’s decision to select the United 2026 bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“The FIFA Membership made the absolute right choice in awarding the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the United Bid,” said USL Chief Executive Officer Alec Papadakis. “We send our heartfelt congratulations to the heads of the U.S. Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association and Federación Mexicana de Fútbol who led this process, and to the members and staff who worked tirelessly to achieve this goal for their countries. We look forward to welcoming the world eight years from now for what will be the biggest and best World Cup in the tournament’s storied history.”

The United bid earned xx percent of the ballot, defeating Morocco for the right to host to the largest sporting event in the world in eight years as the tournament returns to North America for the first time since it was held in the United States in 1994.

"With the inaugural season of USL Division III set to kick off next spring, our league and our clubs look forward to building on this momentous accomplishment by continuing to develop passionate support for the game in new markets across the United States over the next eight years," USL Division III Senior Vice President Steven Short said. "The 1994 FIFA World Cup kickstarted the modern era of professional soccer in North America, and the event's return will enhance the growth of the sport across the region, especially in the United States and Canada."