The reason why Nashville wasn't picked to be a World Cup host city is obvious and unfortunate
On Thursday afternoon, FIFA announced the North American host cities for the 2026 World Cup and Nashville wasn't included. There was hope that Nashville would be one of the United States cities that was chosen as a host city. And the feeling was that if 12 US cities were selected, Nashville would be one of […]
On Thursday afternoon, FIFA announced the North American host cities for the 2026 World Cup and Nashville wasn't included.
There was hope that Nashville would be one of the United States cities that was chosen as a host city. And the feeling was that if 12 US cities were selected, Nashville would be one of those cities. There was even some hope that Nashville could bump Baltimore in the case that 11 cities were chosen.
11 US cities ended up being chosen. Batlimore wasn't chosen either (likely because Dallas and Houston were both chosen).
It's unfortunate that Nashville wasn't one of the choices, but it's not totally shocking. There's a legitimate reason why Music City won't be turning into a soccer paradise in 2026.
It basically comes down to the Tennessee Titans' potential new stadium.
A new stadium in Nashville, with an enclosed roof, is likely. But it won't be ready by 2026.
Tennessee Tourism Committee president Butch Spyridon explained this week during an appearance on 104.5 The Zone's The Buck Reising Show that FIFA had some concerns about the construction area surrounding the potential new stadium. They also had concerns about what kind of shape Nissan Stadium will be in when 2026 rolls around.
Spyridon said the Titans and the city of Nashville did a great job of answering those questions for FIFA, but apparently, that wasn't enough to convince the World Cup to come to Nashville in 2026.
Nashville has already proven that it can handle massive sporting events — like the NFL draft — and knock it out of the park. And I have no doubt that Nashville would've put on a first-class World Cup experience. Unfortunately, the timing just wasn't right.
And even more unfortunate is that Nashville may not get another chance to be a host city for a long, long time. Since 1930, the United States has only hosted the World Cup one other time (1994). It could very well be another 30 years before they get to host again.
Nashville might be working on another football stadium by then.
Featured image via George Walker IV / The Tennessean via Imagn Content Services, LLC
