LAS VEGAS (AP) — FIFA considered Las Vegas to host the tournament. world cup draw However, the deal was not completed due to logistical issues.
lottery Instead, it will be held Friday at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The United States, Canada and Mexico will host the 48-team tournament from June 11 to July 19.
Steve Hill, CEO and president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Bureau, told The Associated Press in a text message that two major events made it difficult to hold the drawing.
“Really, with everything going on in the city, it was a little difficult to find a suitable venue and room section,” Hill said. “Obviously we would have welcomed a draw, but we didn’t need to replace it.”
The 10-day National Finals Rodeo, which fills out the Thomas & Mack Center each year, begins Thursday. Additionally, the five-day Amazon Web Services re:Invent 2025 conference, held at several locations along the Las Vegas Strip, concludes on Friday.
Hill said tournament officials and some resorts had “had a number of conversations with FIFA,” but the discussions never got to the point where the draw would definitely be in Las Vegas.
If things had been different and Las Vegas had been the venue, Hill said Las Vegas would have benefited more from a marketing standpoint than filling hotel rooms.
Still, there is little doubt that had the drawing been held here, the city of Las Vegas would have received the generous treatment it provides for major events.
All three North American leaders – President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney – are expected to attend the drawing in Washington.
There is no shortage of athlete star power on stage. Seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady, four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal, hockey’s “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky and three-time American League MVP Aaron Judge will also be in attendance.
Model Heidi Klum and actors Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez will co-host the event, while two-time Super Bowl quarterback Eli Manning will host the red carpet. Entertainment will be provided by Tony and Olivier Award winners Nicole Scherzinger, Andrea Bocelli and Robbie Williams.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
