Philadelphia isn’t quite Saint Louis in terms of its history with the beautiful game, but soccer has a long and rich history here predating the modern era that makes it seem like it would be fertile ground to grow into one of the top soccer markets in the country.
Since the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico will coincide with the 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence, staging games in Philadelphia — particularly on July 4th — seems almost automatic. But bids for any major event, from political conventions to Olympics to NCAA championships, don’t happen with the stroke of a pen.