DC World Cup Bid Group Announces 40-Person Advisory Board

DC2026, the group trying to secure ’26 World Cup matches for the city, today announced a “40-member advisory board” that aims to “persuade FIFA to select Washington as one of about 10 U.S. host cities,” according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. The board will include Citi Open Owner Mark Ein, EventsDC Chair Max Brown, celebrity chef Jose Andres, DC United GK Bill Hamid and NWSL Washington Spirit MF Andi Sullivan. DC’s bid theme is “United by the Game” and it is proposing a FIFA Fan Fest that "would take place on the Mall." The National Park Service “would not issue a permit until it reviews specific plans" in '25. DC held five matches at RFK Stadium during the ’94 World Cup, while both RFK and FedExField held matches during the ’99 and ’03 Women’s World Cup. There are 16 other U.S. municipalities in contention to host matches in ‘26, and those cities “will participate in a FIFA virtual workshop July 7” (WASHINGTON POST, 6/30).