World Cup final in line for unprecedented change with Fifa under pressure to ensure a faster paced game
FIFA chiefs are under pressure to confirm the venue for the 2026 World Cup final.
And there are signs that the biggest game in football could be played indoors for the first time.
New York’s MetLife Stadium had long been considered the front-runner.
An East Coast venue would allow a mid-afternoon kick-off, prime time in Europe.
But temperatures in the Big Apple in mid-July regularly hit 90F-plus, likely to mean stifling conditions and a slow-paced game.
So expectations are increasing that Dallas could be the chosen option.
The Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, 19 miles from the city, is called the world’s largest air-conditioned room, with the retract- able roof helping set a temperature of 70F.
It would mean a kick-off at 2pm local time to fit the demands of European audiences and likely lead to a faster game.
Dallas and Miami — home of the North and Central American and Caribbean confederation Concacaf — are alternatives for Fifa bigwigs’ main tournament base away from New York.
Argentina won the last World Cup in Qatar in December 2022 in an epic final against France.
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
This was the first-ever World Cup held in the winter and bang in the middle of the European football season.
Victory gave Argentina their third World Cup win, and provided a fitting finale for captain and talisman Lionel Messi.
La Albiceleste secured the title after winning 4-2 on penalties at the Lusail Iconic Stadium.
Like the other stadiums planned for the 2022 World Cup, the 88,000-capacity stadium was air-conditioned to keep players cool using solar power.