PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Kenney issued the following statement after today’s announcement on Philadelphia’s bid to host the World Cup in 2026.

“I am excited and proud to join Governor Wolf, Carli Lloyd, Julie and Zach Ertz, and Alejandro Bedoya as an Honorary Co-Chair of Philadelphia’s bid to host the World Cup in 2026. We know Philadelphia is a great sports city and a terrific host of national and international events. Winning this bid for the FIFA World Cup would marry our passion with expertise, delivering a best-in-class experience for teams and fans from around the world. I am confident that under the leadership of David L. Cohen as our Bid Chairman, we will continue to make a compelling case to host this global event and that our city will rally to support this important civic effort. I look forward to welcoming FIFA and U.S. Soccer to Philadelphia, during the selection process, and supporting this bid however I can.”