FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Seattle to Host Six Prestigious Matches of FIFA World Cup 26™, including hosting the US Men’s National Team on Juneteenth, 2026

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Local organizing committee, SeattleFWC26, reinforces its commitment to delivering a world class experience for players, fans, and Washingtonians

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SEATTLE – February 4, 2024 – Today at 12 pm, FIFA officially released the highly anticipated match schedule for FIFA World Cup 26™, revealing that Seattle will host six matches, including welcoming the US Men’s National team. The six games include four group-stage matches and two knock-out round matches. This announcement marks a historic moment for the city, placing Seattle and Washington State at the center of the global soccer stage.

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“We’re thrilled to welcome FIFA World Cup 26 for six matches in Seattle, including the honor of hosting our US Men’s National team on Juneteenth,” said Peter Tomozawa, CEO ofSeattleFWC26. “We have a global opportunity to showcase the vibrancy of our city and state,and we are excited for game time!”

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FIFA World Cup 26TM signifies the thrilling return of the tournament to the United States for the first time since the 2003 Women’s World Cup. SeattleFWC26 has already started meeting with civic, business, and community leaders across Washington to make this an unforgettable experience and establish a lasting positive impact for the city and state. SeattleFWC26, inpartnership with First and Goal Inc. and the Washington State Public Stadium Authority, has started preparations at Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field) for its World Cup hosting debut.

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Anticipating over 2 billion viewers watching the Seattle matches, SeattleFWC26 will maximize economic development and community building, collaborating with partners, businesses and vendors throughout Washington. The organization will be working in at least ten communities tohost official fan activations, ensuring the world’s game is accessible to all Washingtonians regardless of ability, income and geography.

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SeattleFWC26 has set Seattle apart from other host cities by broadening planning efforts to prioritize a focus on the legacy that will outlive the local matches. This focus helped forge a historic partnership with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, marking the first time in the history of the international tournament that an Indigenous People have entered into an agreement with any host city."Our goal is to make sure the legacy of hosting the world’s biggest sporting event positively impacts generations of Washingtonians,” continued Tomozawa.

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SeattleFWC26 invites everyone to join in the excitement and be the first to hear about future announcements, events and opportunities as we build towards FIFA World Cup 26TM in Seattle by following SeattleFWC26 on Instagram and signing up for a quarterly newsletter. This will be the first place to enter to win SeattleFWC26 swag and tickets to local matches and learn about regional volunteer opportunities.

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• For interview requests, please email SeattleFWC26@revolutionpr.com. Images to accompany this story can be found HERE.
• For questions related to FIFA’s schedule announcement, please email media@fifa.org.
• Fans interested in pre-registering for FIFA World Cup 26™ tickets can do so atfifa.com/tickets. Pre-registrations for hospitality package information are also available atfifa.com/hospitality.

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About SeattleFWC26

‍SeattleFWC26 is the local organizing committee for Seattle’s participation as one of the 16 host cities selected for the FIFA World Cup 26™. As a not-for-profit organization, SeattleFWC26’s vision is to foster a lasting legacy for our region, guided by the spirit of soccer, innovation and inclusion. To keep up to date on the latest news and involvement opportunities withSeattleFWC26, please register at http://www.seattlefwc26.org/get-involved. Lumen Field will adopt a new venue name for the FIFA World Cup 26™, Seattle Stadium.

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About FIFA World Cup 26™

FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the biggest sporting event ever, with three Host Countries, 16 HostCities, 48 teams and 104 matches uniting an entire continent to showcase a momentous newtournament format. With more countries, cities, teams, and games, FIFA World Cup 26™ will bethe most inclusive tournament ever, engaging millions of fans across 16 unique stadiums andbillions worldwide. The tournament will take place in June and July 2026. For the latest FIFAWorld Cup 26™ information please visit the FIFA World Cup 26™ website. For media representatives wishing to stay up-to-date on all things 2026, please register via the FIFA MediaHub.

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Media Contacts:

Revolution PR for SeattleFWC26seattlefwc26@revolutionpr.com

Jennifer Karkar Ritchie, 206-354-8049 OR Avery Lyon, 925-239-6222

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QUOTES OF SUPPORT

SeattleFWC26 Board Co-Chair and Seattle Sports Commission President & CEO Beth Knox “On the heels of a successful 2023 MLB All-Star Week and 2024 NHL Winter Classic, we're thrilled to have the match schedule for hosting the world’s largest sporting event in Seattle and celebrating throughout our state. Being able to host our country's national team here in the Emerald City is an incredible honor and a testament to our region's passion for soccer."

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SeattleFWC26 Board Co-Chair and Seattle Sounders FC Chief Operating Officer Maya Mendoza-Exstrom “Since being named a Host City for FIFA World Cup 26™ we have been waiting for this day – to find out how many opportunities our loud and passionate fans, spanning multiple generations,across the State of Washington will have to see the world’s best right here in our community. More than that, our diversity – individuals who culturally identify with hundreds of national teamsaround the globe – will also be on display, in full color and voice. We look forward to welcoming more than 12 nations and their players, families and supporters to our great state and makingSeattle a memorable part of their World Cup journeys in the summer of 2026.”

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Visit Seattle Senior Vice President & Chief Sales Officer Kelly Saling “Here in Seattle, we can’t wait to add our Pacific Northwest magic to an already history-making event when we host our share of matches for the FIFA World Cup 2026. This is yet another opportunity for our destination to wow sports fans on a global stage as we continue a magnificent run welcoming marquee sporting events to Seattle. We’ve proven our city shines inthe spotlight and we know how to throw a party. The announcement of the match schedule brings this event into focus, adding a sense of tangibility and allowing us to make big plans that will add to Seattle’s rich sports legacy.”

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Washington State Governor Jay Inslee “ We are committed to a lasting legacy for FIFA World Cup 2026 that will set new standards for sustainability, inclusivity and goodwill all across our state. I’m confident that along with our neighbors in British Columbia, global soccer fans will find the Pacific Northwest to be a premier destination for the sport.”

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King County Executive Constantine “It’s an honor to host the world’s game in King County. The Pacific Northwest is home to a passionate soccer community, and we look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to the shores of Puget Sound for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Hosting these matches will be among the largest events in our region’s history, and King County is ready to ensure their success.”

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Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell "The FIFA World Cup 2026 and Seattle's world-class soccer fans are a perfect combination. By hosting six matches, Seattle is thrilled to welcome people around the globe to our region,showcase the best of our city, and create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans, visitors, andresidents! Seattle is counting down the days as we prepare to marry the world's biggest sporting event with all our city has to offer, letting the buzz resonate from the matches in the stadium toactivity across the waterfront, through downtown, and around the entire Puget Sound."

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Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin “I am so excited to see the FIFA World Cup coming to our state and even more excited for theopportunity to show off what Everett and our region has to offer! We look forward to welcomingfans, players and other visitors as they fly into PAE and visit our historic downtown, beautifulwaterfront, Jetty Island’s sandy beaches, unique dining experiences in South Everett, theBoeing Tour, and so many other great attractions. Everett plans to take full advantage of thisonce-in-a-generation opportunity.”

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Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone “The City of Renton is looking forward to welcoming visitors from around the world for FIFAWorld Cup 26! Sports are a major part of Renton, as the home to the Seattle Seahawks headquarters on the shores of Lake Washington, and the new Seattle Sounders FC headquarters. We are also proud to be home to a new world-class Sounders training facility, a perfect place for a premier team to call their home in 2026. Let’s go!”

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Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown “We are thrilled to know that our state will be hosting six matches for FIFA World Cup 26. This is an absolutely tremendous opportunity for Spokane! We can't wait to welcome the world to ourcity and we stand ready to host a team to train at the great Gonzaga University.”Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards“Tacoma is eager to welcome fans, players and visitors around the world who will be traveling toPuget Sound for the World Cup. We said it at the last World’s Fair and it is just as true today;You will love Tacoma!”

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