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Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Potential host cities talk 2031 Women's World Cup after U.S. Soccer initiates selection process
The next five years could be an extraordinary era for soccer fans in the United States — if all goes to plan. The much-hyped, still-unproven, revamped and expanded FIFA Club World Cup kicks off on Saturday and the men's World Cup is set to land here in summer 2026, when the U.S. co-hosts the tournament with Canada and Mexico. However, some organizers are already looking to the 2031 Women's World Cup. Advertisement U.S. Soccer shared bid information for that tournament at the end of May with 29 potential host cities across the nation, according to multiple people familiar with the planning. 'We've received the documents from U.S. Soccer,' Meg Kane, the executive director of the Philadelphia World Cup Host Committee, said during this week's 2026 men's World Cup host committee event in New York. 'There's incredible enthusiasm for the Women's World Cup.' Executive director for the Dallas Sports Commission, Monica Paul, said they've also received bid documents, but with the more imminent tournaments, they have not had a chance to review the 2031 documents closely enough to see what differs from the 2026 tournament. This Women's World Cup is very, very important to me as a woman, but also as somebody working in Dallas, trying to build the landscape, seeing the growth of women's sports in Dallas,' Paul said at the 2026 host event on Monday. 'This is something that's … at the top of our list for the future.' The list of cities is not exclusive, and the door remains open to additional ones interested in throwing their hats into the ring. But time is running short, especially with the news that the 2031 version of the tournament is expanding to 48 teams from the current 32. Advertisement Cities are expected to make a verbal commitment by September, with formal bids due by late November, according to sources familiar with the process. As Sports Business Journal reported last month, the FIFA Congress is expected to approve the hosting roles for the U.S. and Mexico, as well as possible additional countries from the Concacaf region, on April 30 in the Canadian city of Vancouver. Those on the U.S. side of planning are juggling hosting the upcoming men's tournament with what's to come in 2031, including determining the balance of the NFL to smaller stadiums. This is made even more difficult, according to sources, considering maintaining equity with the expanding tournament that will inevitably include smaller match-ups. The economic impact of any World Cup relies strongly on tourism and funding for transportation, security and fan festivals. With the 2026 men's World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, many state and federal governments have already invested taxpayer dollars and public funds — something that may complicate the equation for 2031. For the 2026 men's World Cup, 17 American cities made the shortlist to host games, and 11 were selected. It will be the most ambitious World Cup yet, with 48 teams from the six global confederations playing 104 games across 16 cities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada in just over five weeks. Advertisement The host nations involved in the 2026 tournament have already completed FIFA's meticulous bidding process, meeting infrastructure demands such as a minimum number of stadiums with specific seating capacities, hotel accommodations, an efficient transportation network, as well as navigating security protocols, and committing millions of dollars to logistics and fan engagement. For example, Miami-Dade County, which will host seven men's World Cup matches in 2026, is predicting $46 million in costs between cash subsidies, police services and other host-related expenses. Atlanta, which is hosting eight matches in 2026, has considered these costs, but is still eager to host games in 2031. 'Having flexibility on the fundraising side will be very important for us because, again, there's always so much public money that we can secure from the state or city to help publicly subsidize it, so we have to get the rest from the private sector,' CEO of Atlanta's host committee, Dan Corso, said. 'I think if we could get ahead of the public fundraising now for 2031 and maybe loosen up some of the categories that have been restricted currently for 2026. If we can open that up a little bit earlier and a little more broadly for us to go after more companies, I think that would help.' However, with training facilities, transport plans and citywide activation strategies already in place, the existing host cities are well positioned to host again, with far less friction, in 2031. And as women's soccer continues to surge in popularity in the United States, these places have a chance to cement their status as true soccer cities, not just once, but twice in a decade. Advertisement 'We're going to sit with the U.S. Soccer here in a few months, whenever they call that summit together for all the cities that are interested, and really go through the big specs with them and get their perspective of what they think they could do to help cities,' Corso said. 'We look forward to that opportunity, but I think cities that are hosting 2026 that are interested in 2031 are taking a lot of notes on what we could apply in 2031 and make it a bit more palatable in some ways.' Even a year out, some 2026 hosts are running into budget-related issues. In California's Bay Area, the issue of money not covered through the host committee's private investment or sponsorships will likely be covered by the NFL's San Francisco 49ers for operating matches at their home of Levi's Stadium. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the fee could be as much as $37 million, though the hope is that much of that can be offset. 'I want to bid, but for me to bid it, I'm running a business, so it has to work for the business,' Zaileen Janmohamed, the president and CEO of California's Bay Area Host Committee (BAHC), told at the same World Cup event in New York this week. 'We've had a lot of learning from the men's World Cup bid and what's worked and not worked in our region.' San Francisco, and more so the broader Bay Area, is well positioned to take advantage of the world's biggest women's soccer tournament, too. It has a successful NWSL team, Bay FC, and a team in the amateur USL W league, Oakland Soul. The women's youth soccer scene is also strong in the Bay Area. That region of northern California also has multiple venues available for the big event, including the NFL's 68,500-seat Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, which will host 2026 men's World Cup games; San Jose's PayPal Park with an 18,000 capacity, where Bay FC plays home games; and men's second-tier team Oakland Roots' home at the 63,000-seat Oakland Coliseum. Advertisement Kansas City is another place with both interest and the ability to host in 2031. According to its host committee president and CEO, Kathy Nelson, Kansas City is going to bid. As one of the epicenters of women's soccer investment, boasting CPKC Stadium, one of the world's first purpose-built professional women's sports arenas, with its 11,500 seats, the Women's World Cup is a natural fit for the city. The same goes for New York. Sources close to the NY/NJ host committee are confident the Big Apple will bid to host as well. In Texas, both Dallas and Houston also seem to be interested in hosting matches in the tournament. 'We are reviewing those documents,' Houston's host committee president Chris Canetti told While that body did not make a firm commitment to bid, Canetti said it is likely to do so: 'There's usually not an event that comes out where Houston doesn't want to be a part of it. So my guess would be, at the end of the day, Houston will be very aggressive when it comes to wanting to bring the Women's World Cup to town.' Advertisement Paul also spoke about potentially bidding for 2031 for Dallas. According to Paul, Dallas, which recently wrapped up the inaugural season of its new professional women's team, Dallas Trinity FC, in the USL Super League, is already thinking about how to leverage the moment not just for a potential World Cup bid, but to boost youth development and the broader women's soccer ecosystem. In Miami, host committee president and CEO Alina Hudak won't be making the final call, but she noted that the area's leaders are exploring the opportunity. 'We're a city that loves to host major sporting events and, so, as a resident, I would welcome the opportunity to host a World Cup for women in South Florida,' she said during Monday's host city event. Others remain laser-focused on the men's tournament next year. Boston host committee president Mike Loynd, while enthusiastic about the city's new NWSL team that starts play when the 2026 season kicks off next March, said it's too early to discuss a 2031 bid. Advertisement In Philadelphia, Kane echoed that sentiment. She said her priority is delivering a successful 2026 before turning attention to what comes next, while also acknowledging that the passion for the women's game is growing across the United States. 'Philadelphia, and (the state of) Pennsylvania, would be an outstanding host of the Women's World Cup. Right now, Philadelphia Soccer 2026 is very much focused on delivering a great experience for 2026,' she said. Next year's tournament will put host cities' infrastructure on full display. If the numbers add up, some cities may just want to go again. However, the 2031 Women's World Cup will not be just a matter of scale, it will be about impact, as some of the potential host cities told . That tournament won't be a test of whether the cities staging its matches can handle a global soccer crowd, it will be about how seriously they are going to bet on the women's game. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Advertisement US Women's national team, Soccer, International Football, NWSL, Sports Business, UK Women's Football, Women's World Cup 2025 The Athletic Media Company
CBS News
11-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Watch Live: North Texas FIFA World Cup committee to update on preparations with 1 year to go
With just one year to go until the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off in North Texas, anticipation is mounting. On Wednesday, Monica Paul, executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission and president of the North Texas FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Committee, will lead a news conference at 3 p.m. at Toyota Stadium in Frisco to provide updates on the region's preparations. North Texas is set to host nine matches at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, including: Five group stage matches Two round of 32 matches One Round of 16 match One semifinal match Key match dates at AT&T Stadium: Group stage: June 14, 17, 22, 25, and 27, 2026 Round of 32: June 30 and July 3, 2026 Round of 16: July 6, 2026 Semifinal: July 14, 2026 Officials estimate the tournament will generate an economic impact of $1.5 billion to $2.1 billion for the North Texas region. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in downtown Dallas will serve as the international broadcast center, accommodating an expected 3,000 to 5,000 international media professionals. Dallas previously hosted six matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup at the historic Cotton Bowl. How to watch 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations What : North Texas FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Committee provides updates on preparations Date: June 11, 2025 Time: 3 p.m. Location: Toyota Stadium – Frisco, Texas Online stream: Live on CBS News Texas in the player above and on your mobile or streaming device. Note: Streaming plans are subject to change
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Faizan Zaki wins Spelling Bee 2025: Where is 13-year old from?
Faizan Zaki, a 13-year-old from Allen, Texas, claimed victory at the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night, edging out eight other finalists to take home more than $50,000 in cash and prizes. Zaki, last year's runner-up and a favourite going into the competition, triumphed after a tense and dramatic final round. The contest narrowed down to three finalists — Faizan, 11-year-old Sarv Dharavane, and 14-year-old Sarvadnya Kadam. All three initially misspelled their words, forcing an additional sudden-death round. 'It's rare to see this level of late-round drama at the Spelling Bee,' said Paul Loeffler, the Bee's television analyst. In the decisive moment, Zaki correctly spelled éclaircissement, a noun meaning 'a clearing up of something obscure.' FAIZAN ZAKI FINALLY NAILED ÉCLAIRCISSEMENT FTW 🔥🙌 CONGRATS!!! And that's after surviving Chaldee in R20, but before that... #spellingbee — ruletheword335 // TS 🐝 (@ruletheword335) May 30, 2025 Impressively, he spelled the word without asking any clarifying questions, then pumped his fists and collapsed to the floor in celebration. 'I'm really happy,' Zaki said after his win. This year's competition began with 243 young spellers aged 11 to 14, who advanced from local and regional bees across the United States. The event was held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, just outside Washington, D.C. Next year, the competition will move to Constitution Hall in the nation's capital. The Scripps National Spelling Bee, first held in 1925, has crowned 110 champions due to a number of ties in recent years, including an eight-way tie in 2019. The 100th Champion in @ScrippsBee history, Faizan Zaki 🐝 In his fourth time competing at Scripps, Faizan broke through in the championship round spelling éclaircissement to bring home the trophy🏆 Congrats Faizan, well deserved🙌#DallasBIGWins — Dallas Sports Commission (@dallas_sports) May 30, 2025
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
North Texan, 13, wins $50,000 grand prize in Scripps National Spelling Bee
The Brief North Texas teenager Faizan Zaki won the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday night, correctly spelling "éclaircissement." The 13-year-old from Allen, Texas, secured the $50,000 grand prize. Last year, Zaki placed second overall in the event. DALLAS - A teenager from North Texas has won the Scripps National Spelling Bee, securing the $50,000 grand prize and bragging rights for his hometown of Allen. The Latest Faizan Zaki spelled "éclaircissement" correctly to win the final round of the competition on Thursday night. The word, appropriately enough, means "a clearing up of something obscure." Zaki, 13, will take home the grand prize of $50,000 for the win. The backstory Zaki is a seventh-grader at C.M. Rice Middle School in Plano, and is sponsored by the Dallas Sports Commission. Last season, the student placed second in the contest, only losing during a "spell-off" tiebreaker. He still beat out more than 240 other spellers and went home with $25,000. What they're saying Plano ISD proudly spoke out on X after Zaki's win: "Faizan's extraordinary achievement reflects the excellence, perseverance and passion for learning that define our students across Plano ISD. We are incredibly proud to see one of our own rise to the top on the national stage!" The Source Information in this story comes from the Scripps National Spelling Bee website and past news coverage.
Business Journals
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
2025 Women in Business winners revealed
Honorees in the 2025 Women in Business Awards include execs from MYCON General Contractors, the Dallas Sports Commission and Wells Fargo. Check out the full list and celebrate the 2025 class in this annual Dallas Business Journal program.
