Some of the best soccer teams from the world could play here …
Mods can move this to another area if necessary …
Houston will be just one of many host cities in 2026
7 Likes
They won’t play on artificial turf will they?
I believe Houston is one of 16 cities hosting the tournament. 11 in USA, 3 in Mexico and 2 in Canada. NRG will host Houston’s games and it will likely be 4-8 games and 4-8 teams that actually come to Houston. Still very cool!
9 Likes
This is huge news.
Many people (myself included) did not think we’d get to be a host city and they’d choose another city over Houston. (Especially since it was a given Dallas/Jerry World would be a host city and people doubted giving Texas 2 cities)
Not really UH related, but exciting nonetheless.
4 Likes
To the rest of the world, soccer is football. So, there is that.
2 Likes
I have heard that soccer is very popular in Mexico. Maybe that’s why they get to host in 3 cities. 
I have actually only been to one game ever … back in 2008 … I watched Barcelona play their first game of the year in their 110K stadium (sold out) … my seats were second row behind corner kick area … I just remember it was ear piercing LOUD … HOWEVER … I did get to see the famous Messi play
2 Likes
Pretty exciting to have this event in our backyard. Definitely plan on catching games in both Dallas and Houston. Will be looking forward to attending my 2nd World Cup after 32 years.
7 Likes
It will be played on grass.
I lettered in four sports in high school and played baseball in college…… absolutely despised soccer for years.
I still casually watched the World Cups just to cheer for the USA….in 2002 the US beat Mexico in the round of 16 and lost to Germany in the QF. I started becoming more interested….still would only watch if it was US playing World Cup or friendlies…… somewhere in the last 10 years I learned to appreciate the beauty of the game played at the highest levels…. I now support Tottenham as the club I cheer for and can tell you about any player even remotely connected to the USMNT….I love the Premier League…. I think relegation and promotion are something other sports could use.
If the Cup were closer this year I would be there…. I have been following the selection process and knew Houston had a chance to be selected as a site…. Pleasantly surprised that Houston and Dallas both got the call…. Figured only one of them would.
Four years away but very excited. The US playing in Houston or Dallas would be amazing but I’ll travel to wherever they play….
I have come full circle regarding “Futbol”!
12 Likes
#COYS 
1 Like
Yes sir…. Lilywhite Spurs!
The whole world will be watching , hope nrg is ready.
4 Likes
I don’t know why they are doing a split between three countries. Mexico has already hosted twice before, without splitting, maybe it’s not as popular in the USA as to why we are having to split with two different countries. It was still very popular back in 94 when it was all USA host cities.
I’ve been to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the 2014 in Brazil and the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France. I follow the USA wherever they go. I plan on taking my family to the 2023 Women’s World Cup next year in New Zealand/Australia. I use World Cups as an excuse to travel the world.
There is nothing like a World Cup. I’d say the closest in the USA, is maybe a Final Four. Still that pales in comparison. A Final Four is a week long worth of festivities, with 4 hard core fanbases. The World Cup is a full month, but instead of four teams, its fans from numerous countries. Fans are almost always in good moods and eager to see the area.
Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the world and even with our diversity, the World Cup will magnify that. I’ve made friends from all over the world and the World Cups have opened up my eyes to numerous cultures and experiences. We can be the same for that our friends all over. This will put Houston in an entirely different light around the globe.
As for me, I’ll be following the USMNT (Sorry, there won’t be any USMNT matches in Houston unless we get assigned to play a quarter or semi-final here). When I’m not chasing them, you can find me at NRG. USA! USA!
14 Likes
There’s a good chance UH Campus will be used as a training site.
2 Likes
One positive for UH … we will have been in the Big12 for four year by 2026 … and
The FIFA World Cup will be an incentive for our ladies soccer team and no doubt help …
Recruiting-wise … hopefully …
1 Like
Plenty popular…… I read somewhere they felt like their bid was more formidable as North America rather than just USA….60 games in US and 10 each in Mexico and Canada….75% of games still in US.
Also, this will be the first World Cup with 48 teams rather than 32…. That’s four more groups of 4 for the extra 16 teams……gonna be huge.
2 Likes
I love soccer for the very reason that really hot Latin chicks go to the games as if going to the beach, that is all.
1 Like
Only professional level soccer game I have attended was a World Cup game (quarter final I believe) between Brazil and Netherlands. Quite a spectacle of people up in Dallas at the event.
I have been to some Houston Hurricane games played in the Dome during my youth and one Houston Dynamo game. I know, not near the same level of play. I struggle to get excited about Soccer but do love this city. Getting these games are huge for Houston.