The city of Vancouver, with BC Place. (Photo courtesy of FIFA)

FIFA announced on Thursday that Vancouver had been added as a candidate to be a host city for the 2026 World Cup.

Vancouver joins Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton as the four Canadian cities vying to host matches. BC Place is the proposed stadium.

The 2016 competition will be tri-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada.

Vancouver hosted several matches during the 2015 Women’s World Cup, including the final in front of more than 50,000 spectators.

In another development, Amy Hopfinger and Dan Flynn were named to leadership roles.

Hopfinger will be chief strategy and planning officer after serving U.S. Soccer in a variety of important roles over 18 years – most recently as vice president of events.

Flynn, who recently concluded 19 years of service at U.S. Soccer as general secretary and CEO, was named senior executive advisor.

“As we approach the selection of the venues for what will be the largest sporting event in the world, it is great to be able to welcome Amy and Dan to the FIFA team,” FIFA chief tournaments and events officer Colin Smith said in a statement. “Their vast experience will provide leadership and continuity for the delivery of a transformative football event – the FIFA World Cup 2026.”

FrontRowSoccer.com editor Michael Lewis has written a new book, ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. You can learn more about it or purchase it here:

www.Rochesterlancersbook.com

 

 

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.