## Las Vegas Misses Out on 2026 World Cup The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the largest in the tournament’s history, will take place across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Despite its global reputation and state-of-the-art venues, Las Vegas will not host any matches next summer. ### Allegiant Stadium’s Major Oversight The $2 billion Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, was initially considered a strong candidate for hosting matches. However, FIFA officials ultimately excluded it due to one crucial limitation: the stadium’s fixed roof prevents the installation of a natural grass surface. FIFA insists on natural turf for World Cup games to ensure consistent play quality and player safety. ### The City’s Dual Disappointment The decision left Las Vegas facing a double setback. Not only did it lose out on hosting matches, but it also failed to secure a base camp or training site designation for teams. Neighboring cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Dallas, which could accommodate FIFA’s turf and infrastructure requirements, were prioritized. ### The Broader Picture While Las Vegas continues to attract major sporting events, from the Super Bowl to Formula 1, this missed opportunity highlights the challenges of adapting multipurpose, enclosed stadiums for global football standards. > "FIFA’s requirements for natural grass pitches were always non-negotiable," noted one official familiar with the selection process. The city may yet refine its venues for future tournaments, but for now, World Cup fans will have to travel elsewhere to watch the historic event unfold. *** **Author’s summary:** Las Vegas lost its 2026 World Cup bid due to Allegiant Stadium’s inability to host natural grass, reflecting broader limits of modern enclosed venues in global football planning.

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Talksport — 2025-11-30