It seemed like a match made in heaven for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, arguably the world's biggest sporting event, to play its games — including its Final — in the United States' most expensive arena, SoFi Stadium.
But that pairing may no longer happen.
There are "escalating tensions" between FIFA and the Kroenke family, who own the $5 billion SoFi Stadium, over the arena's bid to be a host venue for the 2026 World Cup, according to a report by The Athletic.
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Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, the family's holding company for SoFi Stadium, is reportedly "unhappy" with the revenue sharing in the deal that FIFA is proposing.
KSE, which also owns professional teams like the Los Angeles Rams and Arsenal FC, said it is reportedly so unhappy with the situation that is threatening to pull out hosting any World Cup matches.
The Athletic did not name any sources in order to protect their jobs.
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SoFi Stadium was even a leading candidate to host the Final match, but the AT&T Stadium in Dallas and the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey have now emerged as the new top candidates to host the tournament's deciding match.
SoFi Stadium is still expected to host several other major events, including the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Olympics. It's unclear whether this dispute will effect SoFi's status as a potential candidate to host the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup.
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