Miami Mayor Francis Suarez took to social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, to celebrate the FIFA announcement that Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium will be hosting seven games of the 2026 World Cup. Suarez stressed that this event is part of an ongoing effort to establish Miami as a global destination. pic.twitter.com/sDot58cpMp— Mayor Francis Suarez (@FrancisSuarez) February 4, 2024
However, some users on X were quick to clarify that the Hard Rock Stadium is actually located in Miami Gardens, a municipality 15 miles away from Miami. These users suggested that Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris should have been part of the announcement. “Miami Gardens is hosting the game not the City of Miami. Maybe this video is better served from @MiamiDadeCounty or @CityofMiaGarden,” @RealJavi G posted.Another useradded, “Since the stadium is located in Miami Gardens, why isn’t [Mayor Rodney Harris] making this announcement?”
In addition to the World Cup announcement, Suarez talked about the arrival of famous soccer player Lionel Messi at Inter Miami and the construction of the team’s new stadium. He also mentioned FIFA’s decision to set up a local 60,000-square-foot headquarters. “The fact that FIFA has now located its 2026 FIFA World Cup headquarters here in Miami is another one of those great accomplishments and also of course bringing Inter Miami to our city with the finalization of the lease,” Suarez stated. But as one user responded, “Miami LOVES to market soccer that isn’t actually played in Miami. Fraud City, USA.” This comment was referring to the fact that Inter Miami currently plays in Fort Lauderdale at DRV PNK Stadium while waiting for the construction of Miami Freedom Park stadium. This new stadium, backed by Suarez and soccer icon David Beckham, a part-owner of Inter Miami, is set to open in Miami in 2025.
The 2026 World Cup schedule is being released almost two years after FIFA’s announcement that Miami Gardens and Hard Rock Stadium would host matches. Miami Gardens’ Mayor Harris praised the decision and the partnership with Hard Rock Stadium and the Miami Dolphins. “We have a great partnership with the Hard Rock Stadium and the Miami Dolphins, who have called our city home for many years, and are so excited FIFA has chosen our great city to host the event,” Mayor Harris stated.
Miami will host the 2026 World Cup bronze-medal game, a quarterfinal match, and several group stage matches. Suarez had earlier pointed out that Hard Rock Stadium has previously hosted several major international soccer games.
