HOUSTON – The 2026 FIFA World Cup in Houston is just 500 days away, and to mark this milestone, Houston and Harris County leaders held a joint news conference Monday to share updates on what to expect!
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Among the various topics, Mayor John Whitmire and Judge Lina Hidalgo as well as other elected City and County elected officials, spoke about safety and security precautions as well as upgrades to NRG Stadium.
“I go to meetings on a regular basis about how we have to improve this: our transit system, to get ready for the World Cup. I interrupt and say, ‘No, we need to get it ready for Houstonians and if we get it ready for Houstonians and Harris County residents on a daily basis we’ll be ready for a FIFA,’” Mayor Whitmire said. “So let’s make every day a World Cup for Harris County/Houston residents... I’m fired up and I want each and every one of us to be fired up as we leave here today, because no city is better prepared and going to enjoy the World Cup more than Houston, Texas.”
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“The fact that we have such a sports culture here in Houston/Harris County, the fact that we have the facilities we have, that we have such a diverse and welcoming community...this is going to be a fantastic event,” Judge Hidalgo added.
Houston will host 7 matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is set to begin June 11, 2026, in Mexico City.
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