Khaberni - FIFA has canceled over two thousand hotel reservations in the host cities of the 2026 World Cup, in a surprising development just months before the tournament kicks off.
The British newspaper Express Sport reported that these cancellations come after FIFA had reserved about ten thousand rooms to ensure the tournament ran smoothly, with a focus on cities like Philadelphia, which will host the opening match between Ivory Coast and Ecuador on June 14.
The upcoming edition of the 2026 World Cup will be hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico, amid intensive preparations to welcome teams and fans from around the world.
Ed Grose, the president of the Philadelphia Hotel Association, stated that the canceled rooms will be released back on the market for fans to book, confirming that the situation does not pose a major crisis.
In Mexico City, about 800 out of two thousand hotel bookings have been canceled, according to Alberto Albaran Leyva, the General Manager of the hotel association there.
He pointed out that the initial booking was to ensure the availability of the necessary rooms, but FIFA canceled some reservations after confirming they were no longer needed, with no other reasons behind this decision.
The newspaper highlighted that this development is part of a series of logistical challenges facing FIFA in organizing a tournament of this size, amidst ongoing efforts to secure accommodations for teams and fans and ensure the success of the tournament that will start in less than three months.
