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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Tom Dart

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

World Cup Fifa Los Angeles Gianni Infantino a World Cup
Gianni Infantino
Fifa president Gianni Infantino stands with the World Cup trophy on Thursday in New York City. Photograph: Peter Foley/EPA

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.

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