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Infantino Confirms Halftime Show For 2026 World Cup Final
The 2026 World Cup Final will feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show, said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
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Two sites in the Oklahoma City metro could serve as a home base for a World Cup team next summer.
On Wednesday, FIFA revealed a list of 63 possible “team base camp” sites ahead of the 2026 World Cup — basically a team’s home away from home as they train, rest and prepare between matches. Among the locations national teams can choose from is a soccer training facility, formerly used by the OKC Energy, on NE 63rd in the Adventure District and OU’s athletic complexes in Norman.
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Games will be played in 16 cities, including Dallas, Houston and Kansas City. Given its proximity to those and other sites — a short charter flight away — Oklahoma City could be an attractive base camp location. Other Oklahoma sites, including one in Stillwater at OSU, are considering putting together a base camp bid.
“We knew that we would not have World Cup matches in Oklahoma City, but this is the next best thing — to bring the world’s game to Oklahoma and showcase our facilities and the Oklahoma standard of hospitality,” Court Jeske, president of OKC for Soccer, told The Oklahoman.
World Cup teams are expected to formalize their plans later this year, and there’s no guarantee an Oklahoma site will be selected. Working in its favor, though, are proximity, Jeske’s connections as a longtime soccer executive and the availability of the metro’s facilities.
“We’ve got as good a shot as any,” Jeske said, “and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure the best national teams in the world know that Oklahoma’s welcome mat is out for them.”
The OKC for Soccer committee, spearheaded by Echo — which is bringing professional soccer back to Oklahoma City — worked with city, state and OU officials to get the two base camp sites approved by FIFA.
“Not only is FIFA’s recognition significant for the region, but it is yet another example of our city’s growth and momentum,” Christian Kanady, Echo’s CEO, said in a release.
In 2028, Oklahoma City will host two Olympic events — softball and canoe slalom — as part of the 2028 Los Angeles Summer games.
“Though we know it is ultimately out of our control whether a national team selects metro OKC as a Team Base Camp, just the fact that we could be considered is a testament to our growth as a community, our rising profile in international sports and our commitment to soccer,” Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said.
Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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