'Gutted' - USMNT fans react to 2026 World Cup venue snub of Washington D.C. & Baltimore

United States men's national team supporters in the Washington D.C./Baltimore area were disappointed on Thursday at FIFA's announcement of World Cup 2026 host venues.

The nation will be one of three to hold games at the next global tournament after Qatar, but the capital city has been snubbed from receiving any of the action.

D.C. was considered a serious candidate for matches in 2026, however other competing fringe candidates such as Boston were picked preferred.

“This was a very, very difficult choice,” said Colin Smith, FIFA’s chief tournaments and events officer, to The Washington Post. “It’s hard to imagine - you can’t imagine a World Cup coming to the U.S. and the capital city not taking a major role as well.”

Gutted. pic.twitter.com/FgbDwDZHGX

Absolute shock in the room as DC is passed over as a host city. A World Cup without matches in the national capital seems unthinkable, but here we are. pic.twitter.com/rvvwy3ByJM

How is DC/Baltimore not a host city for the 2026 World Cup?