Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke could see his plan of hosting the 2026 World Cup final at the SoFi Stadium diminished due to FIFA's requirements.
The stadium, which holds 70,000 spectators, opened in September 2020 and cost about £4billion to build. It is the home of the LA Rams of the NFL and has been selected as one of the venues to host the tournament in three years - despite never hosting a football match.
Regarded as one of the best stadiums in the world, the complex has been touted as one of the favourites to stage the final in July 2026. Despite only opening less than three years ago, the stadium has already hosted Super Bowl LVI in 2022 and is scheduled to host the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final this summer and WrestleMania 39 in April.
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However, reports have emerged that the Kroenke-owned stadium could miss out on hosting one of football's biggest fixtures. According to the Times, sources close to the 2026 organising committee have said that the width of the field would have to be increased in order to comply with FIFA's regulations.
It's said that the changes would need to be as much as 63ft, alterations that would force the removal of seats close to the pitch. The solution to the initial problem presents an additional issue with FIFA normally expecting stadiums to hold at least 80,000 supporters - the capacity would be reduced to below 70,000 should seats be removed.
New Jersey's MetLife Stadium - which holds more than 82,000 spectators - is likely to be next in line. That option would provide supporters in Europe and Africa to view the final due to its time zone.
The 2026 edition of the World Cup is being hosted across three countries for the first time in history. The United States, Canada and Mexico will share the group games, the round of 32, last-16 and quarter-finals before the U.S are expected to host the semi-finals and the final.
News of Kroenke's possible missed opportunity comes after news of FIFA's expansion of the tournament. The World Cup will present an expanded format with more teams (48) with 12 groups of four.
The eight best-placed third-place sides will join the top two in the round of 32 - an additional round - before a more usual format to follow with a last-16. FIFA's aim is to reduce dead rubbers in the group stage with the number of matches increasing from 80 to 104.
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