Nashville 2026 World Cup Bid Committee Announced

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As a delegation of FIFA officials begin their tour of Nashville and its athletic facilities, a local organizing committee has been announced which includes representatives from Nashville Soccer Club and the Tennessee Titans.

Nashville Soccer Club owner John Ingram will serve as chairman of the Local Organizing Committee. Additionally, Ian Ayre, Chief Executive, Nashville Soccer Club, will chair Training Sites and International Relations/Logistics; Burke Nihill, President and CEO, Tennessee Titans, will chair the Stadium committee; Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO, Ryman Hospitality Properties, will oversee Fundraising; and Butch Spyridon, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, will chair the Host City committee.

“We continue to elevate our game, we continue to host world class soccer event and we continue to position Nashville as a world class event city. Our track record speaks for itself,” said Spyridon.

Spryidon and Nihill, along with CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani and Colin Smith, FIFA Chief Tournaments & Events Officer, held a press conference on Thursday (Sept. 16) to discuss what FIFA will be looking for in a host city.

“We are here to do our due diligence on not only the stadium, but the city and all things in between. We will continue that this afternoon and later on early this evening before we leave, but I think it’s important for us to acknowledge that the World Cup is the biggest event in the world,” said Montagliani. “The World Cup will be a tremendous event and will be a tremendous platform not only for the game itself but also for for a city, for a state, and for a country. Nashville has put their best foot forward.”

The delegation will also look at training facilities, including fields at Lipscomb University, Lipscomb Academy, Vanderbilt University, Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville SC Stadium, and Currey Ingram Academy. Potential host cities will be toured through November and a decision will be made in January of 2022.

Steven Boero
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