World Cup 2026: Host city reveal lays bare sprawling, money-spinning affair

The host city announcement for 2026 was a World Cup in itself: a few no-hopers, underdogs who went deeper than expected with a couple of surprising flops and predictable triumphs

The crowd went crazy, a yelling, jumping, flag-waving, fist-pumping swirl of red-white-and-blue delight. And why not? Kansas City had just won the 2026 World Cup.

The host city selection process for the tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada unfurled much like a World Cup itself: a few no-hopers, some underdogs who went deeper than expected, a couple of surprising flops and predictable triumphs for the favorites.