VIDEO SHOWS: A TIMELINE OF EVENTS RELATED TO THE 2026 WORLD CUP IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND MEXICO SHOWS: In early 2017 FIFA voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from 32 teams, starting with the 2026 edition. Concerns that the expansion would lower the overall standard of the tournament, and make it too big and unwieldy were brushed aside. ZURICH, SWITZERLAND (FILE – JANUARY 10, 2017) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING: “We are in the 21st century and we have to shape the football World Cup of the 21st century. It's not anymore the 20th century, it's the future. We have to look into that. Football is more than just Europe and South America. Football is global.” Canada, USA and Mexico declared their intention to formally submit a unified bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup on April 10, 2017. The historic bid, which would represent the first time that three nations would jointly host a FIFA competition, was announced by CONCACAF and Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani, U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati, and Mexican Football Federation president Decio de Maria. NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE – APRIL 10, 2017) (U.S. SOCCER FEDERATION – Access all) 2. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, THEN-CANADIAN SOCCER ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, VICTOR MONTAGLIANI, THEN-U.S. SOCCER FEDERATION PRESIDENT, SUNIL GULATI, AND THEN-MEXICAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION PRESIDENT, DECIO DE MARIA POSING FOR PHOTOS WITH AGREEMENT 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) THEN-U.S. SOCCER FEDERATION PRESIDENT, SUNIL GULATI, SAYING: “We will bid together. The general parameters of that bid are a World Cup of 80 games, three-quarters of which will be played in the United States and 10 each in Canada and Mexico.” The 2026 World Cup hosting rights were awarded to the United States, Mexico and Canada after FIFA's Congress voted overwhelmingly on June 13, 2018 to back the tri-nation’s joint bid. The North American bid collected 134 votes to the 65 for Morocco. MOSCOW, RUSSIA (FILE – JUNE 13, 2018) (REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 4. STILL PHOTO OF INFANTINO POSING FOR PHOTOS WITH OFFICIALS AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE 2026 WORLD CUP WILL BE HELD IN THE UNITED STATES, MEXICO AND CANADA 5. TWO STILL PHOTOS OF OFFICIALS CELEBRATING AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT 6. STILL PHOTO OF, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, THEN-PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION, CARLOS CORDEIRO, DE MARIA, AND THEN-PRESIDENT OF THE CANADIAN SOCCER FEDERATION, STEVEN REED, CELEBRATING AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT Russia President Vladimir Putin gave U.S. President Donald Trump a soccer ball on July 16, 2018 as a symbolic gesture for the U.S., along with Canada and Mexico, hosting the World Cup in 2026. HELSINKI, FINLAND (FILE – JULY 16, 2018) (YLE HOST BROADCASTER – Access all) 7. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian and English) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, AND U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING: PUTIN: “As for the ball, I am passing this ball to Mr. President so now the ball is in his corner. Especially as the U.S. will have to host the 2026 World Cup.”/ PUTIN HANDING TRUMP SOCCER BALL TRUMP: “That's right, thank you very much. We do host it and we hope we do as good a job. That's very nice. That will go to my son Barron, we have no question. In fact, Melania, here you go.” / TRUMP THROWS BALL TO HIS WIFE MELANIA U.S. President Donald Trump tried out soccer's red and yellow cards after being presented with them by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during his visit to the White House in August 2018. WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES (FILE – AUGUST 28, 2018) (RESTRICTED POOL – No use USA. No use CNN. No use digital) 8. INFANTINO PRESENTING TRUMP WITH A 'TRUMP 26' JERSEY / BOTH POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS 9. WIDE OF TRUMP WITH INFANTINO AND THEN-U.S. SOCCER PRESIDENT, CARLOS CORDEIRO 10. INFANTINO SHOWING TRUMP YELLOW AND RED CARDS / TRUMP HOLDING UP RED CARD It was a star-studded red-carpet event in Los Angeles in May 2023 as FIFA launched its new logo and campaign for the upcoming 23rd edition of the World Cup being played in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE – MAY 17, 2023) (REUTERS – Access all) 11. INFANTINO SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT FIFA EVENT AT THE THE GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY VENUE 12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GIANNI INFANTINO, FIFA PRESIDENT, SAYING: “Soccer will be the number one sport in North America.” NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE – MAY 18, 2023) (REUTERS – Access all) 13. 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP BRANDING IN TIMES SQUARE The 2026 World Cup final will feature its first ever half-time show, FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed in March 2025. FIFA will be working with international education and advocacy organisation Global Citizen as well as British band Coldplay for the half-time performance. INTERNET (FILE – MARCH 5, 2025) (SOCIAL MEDIA – No resales, must on-screen courtesy 'gianni_infantino via Instagram') (MUTE) 14. STATEMENT FROM FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, ON INSTAGRAM, READING (English): “It was my pleasure to speak with friends and colleagues attending the FIFA World Cup 26 FIFA Commercial & Media Partners Convention in Dallas, where we discussed some very exciting plans for the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup in 2026. I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey, in association with Global Citizen. This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world. We also spoke about how FIFA will takeover Times Square for the final weekend of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, during both the bronze final match and final. These will be two incredible matches, featuring some of the best players in the world, and what better way to celebrate them than in the historic Times Square in New York City. My thanks of course to Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans and his incredible team, for helping us put together these amazing shows. I also want to thank Chris Martin and Phil Harvey of Coldplay, who will be working with us at FIFA to finalise the list of artists who will perform during the halftime show, as well as at Times Square.” MADRID, SPAIN (FILE – OCTOBER 26, 2011) (REUTERS – Access all) 15. BAND MEMBERS OF COLDPLAY POSING FOR PHOTOS U.S. President Donald Trump, in office for the second time following his re-election, on May 6 said the United States will put together the "best-run soccer tournament the world has ever seen" as they prepare to host the 2026 World Cup along with co-hosts Canada and Mexico. WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (FILE – MAY 6, 2025) (U.S. NETWORK POOL – No use USA) 16. TRUMP DURING A MEETING OF THE FIFA TASK FORCE ALONGSIDE INFANTINO AND U.S. VICE PRESIDENT, JD VANCE 17. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING: “Together, we will ensure that the 2026 World Cup will be the best-run soccer tournament the world has ever seen. This is going to blow every other tournament you did. You're going to say how terrible a job you did in the past because this is so much better, Gianni (Infantino).” 18. INFANTINO DURING PRESS CONFERENCE 19. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA PRESIDENT, GIANNI INFANTINO, SAYING: “You have established this task force. America will welcome the world. Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun, to celebrate the game will be able to do that.” 20. INFANTINO DURING PRESS CONFERENCE U.S. President Donald Trump announced on August 22 that John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC will host the 2026 World Cup draw on December 5. Trump's announcement came as he oversees a $257 million renovation at the Kennedy Center, which he had said will be a centerpiece of the 250th U.S. anniversary celebrations in 2026. After Trump’s announcement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino gifted the American president with a symbolic first ticket for next year’s final. WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (FILE – AUGUST 22, 2025) (UNRESTRICTED PO…
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