Canetti to shepherd World Cup effort
President to leave team after 13 years to help city land ’26 tourney games
Dynamo president Chris Canetti, who has been with the franchise for 13 seasons and helped establish Major League Soccer in Houston with the building of BBVA Compass Stadium, is changing his focus.
Canetti is leaving the Dynamo and Dash to become president of the Houston World Cup Bid Committee, a group organized under the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority as part of an effort to bring the 2026 World Cup to Houston.
“We need to tell the story of what the World Cup is here in Houston and what it represents to Houston,” Canetti said. “We need to get the community backing on all levels and then we need to go out and tell Houston’s story to the officials that are going to be making the decision.”
Houston is one of 17 U.S. cities in the running for 10 spots to host World Cup games when the event comes to North American in 2026. A decision on the host cities is expected in two years.
“Chris has great experience in this space and will be instrumental in our World Cup bid efforts,” said Janis Burke, the CEO of the sports authority. “There is still much work ahead of us to guarantee that we make the cut.”
Canetti sees Houston as a perfect fit to host the world’s biggest international soccer competition, given the city’s demographics.
“I’m very, very thrilled that Janis has had the vision to create this position and to bring me on board so we can get started on what is a very important thing to do here and it’s bringing the World Cup to Houston in 2026,” he said. “We all know that our city is capable of hosting a World Cup. We’ve seen awesome success in the Super Bowl, in the Final Four and many, many other events.”
Leaving the Dynamo after 13 years wasn’t easy.
“I am filled with mixed emotions,” he said. “I love this club, cherish my time here, and feel sadness about it coming to an end, but I am confident that is the right time to move on to the next challenge. And with this next challenge comes the opportunity to work on something vitally important to the game of soccer and our community, and that’s ensuring that Houston secures World Cup matches in 2026.”
Canetti will remain with the Dynamo through the end of his contract, which expires Dec. 31, and will assist in the club’s transition of leadership.
Canetti has been with the Dynamo since the team’s inaugural season in Houston in 2006, operating as the president since 2010 — the longest tenured in the MLS.
He oversaw the development and opening of BBVA Compass Stadium and helped bring the Dash to Houston as the National Women’s Soccer League’s first expansion club.
During his time with the Dynamo, the club has been a part of seven trophy runs, including two MLS Cup championships and this year’s U.S. Open Cup title.
As his time with the Dynamo winds down, Canetti is proud of developments like the Houston Sports Park as well as the expansion of the club’s staff, fan base, and brand.
Opening BBVA Compass Stadium stands out as the highlight of his 13-year tenure.
“We’ve literally built this thing from the ground up,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the Dynamo, Houston couldn’t become the great soccer city it is.”