L.A.'s bid to be a '26 FIFA World Cup host is "in doubt" after officials on Thursday gave "contradicting statements about whether the city would pursue a piece of the international event," according to Smith & Baxter of the L.A. TIMES. An aide to L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson said that the city would "not make a bid because of concerns about the financial liability it would have." Wesson's decision was made as L.A. officials "faced a Monday deadline to submit a host city agreement to the United Bid Committee." But later Thursday, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said that he would ask the UBC to "extend its bid process so the host city contract could continue to be reviewed and discussed." L.A. was "among 25 U.S. cities selected as possible host sites," and it was "expected to receive strong consideration as home to the championship game." A city report released Thursday said that FIFA "rejected amendments to the host city contract" proposed by the L.A. Convention & Tourism Board, which was "helping lead L.A.'s bid." Among the changes sought were alterations to "manage risk and liability that may be associated with the bid and hosting requirements." According to the city report, L.A.'s bid was "expected to include facilities located in Inglewood and Pasadena" (L.A. TIMES, 2/9).
