PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — History and soccer meet at the Independence Visitor Center in Old City this summer.
The campaign to bring the World Cup to Philadelphia in 2026 has taken over a corner of the center to drum up support for their effort.
It’s a minimal set up right now, with four foosball tables and a custom soccer net where fans are asked to post memorabilia or notes endorsing the city’s World Cup bid, but it got good reviews.
"I think it’s a really nice set up to get some people that might just be coming to the Visitors Center, to see that the World Cup might be coming to Philadelphia," said Mason, 13, who has been playing soccer for 10 years.
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"I think that it’s amazing and it’s cool of how our city can be in the World Cup," said Asayah Benshaddaya.
"We have a great city, and we have all different kinds of places. We have food places, games. We have a ton of stuff."
Philadelphia soccer has grown on the strength of youth leagues that have taught the game to a new generation. They are maybe the best argument for bringing the games here.
"Soccer is more than a sport. It’s a lifestyle, at least for me," said 12-year-old soccer player Madeline Ferry.
"Every fall morning, I’m waking up at 7 a.m. getting ready for a game, going to another game or another tournament in the blazing heat or the freezing cold, because it’s the sport that you love. It would be great for all the kids like me who really want just to be able to see teams playing in their home city."
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