FIFA visits Atlanta as part of 2026 World Cup evaluation

ATLANTA: A FIFA evaluation committee wrapped up its visit to Atlanta on Wednesday, checking out possible sites for the 2026 World Cup.

The committee toured Mercedes-Benz Stadium, one of the proposed venues for the joint bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico. The $1.6 billion, retractable-roof facility opened last year and hosted the largest single-game crowd in Major League Soccer history when 71,874 fans turned out for Atlanta United’s match against Toronto FC.

The visit also included stops at the Georgia World Congress Center, which could presumably serve as the media headquarters, as well as Atlanta United’s suburban training facility.

Atlanta is one 23 potential sites proposed for the World Cup - 17 in the United States, plus three each in Canada and Mexico. Up to 16 stadiums will be used in 2026, when the tournament will expand from 32 to 48 teams, and each city must also provide a plethora of training facilities.

The evaluation committee has already visited Mexico City, and plans stops in New York/New Jersey and Toronto.

NEW JAPAN COACH EYES SECOND ROUND

TOKYO: Japan’s new football coach said Thursday he was aiming to get the Blue Samurai out of a tricky World Cup group, days after being parachuted in as an “emergency measure”.

“I want to get through the first round, of course. I think we will be fully competitive and will be able to challenge,” Akira Nishino told a packed press conference in Tokyo.

Japan have a tough group in Russia this summer, drawn against Colombia, Poland and Senegal. Nishino, 63, was drafted in on Monday as an “emergency measure” -- in the words of the Japan Football Association boss -- just two months before the team kicks off its World Cup campaign.