FIFA President Gianni Infantino Praises Los Angeles First Responders Ahead of Club World Cup

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On a Tuesday morning outside Pasadena’s Rose Bowl, FIFA President Gianni Infantino honored Los Angeles as one of the upcoming 2026 FIFA Club World Cup’s host cities. During this tour of host cities, Infantino recognized the tragic wildfires that had recently ravaged nearby areas such as Altadena and Palos Verdes.

At a recent gaming convention, emergency responders like Cal Fire, LA Fire Department, LAPD, County Police, and more were all present. This year, the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles scorched over 40,000 acres and destroyed around 16,000 structures, taking the lives of 29 people.

Amidst the raging wildfires, the Rose Bowl was re-purposed as a base of operations for firefighters and emergency responders. Subsequently, it served as a collection point for wildfire donations, and additionally, it staged a charity concert.

Speaking about the significance of this location in inspiring people, much like our sport does, Infantino stated that it was here where emergency responders assembled to aid the community. On behalf of FIFA and the worldwide soccer community, he expressed heartfelt gratitude. Furthermore, he mentioned that FIFA would be providing 30,000 tickets for the Club World Cup matches to Los Angeles’ first responders.

As a soccer enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Los Angeles is going to host some warm-up matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but first, we get the exciting opportunity to witness the upcoming Club World Cup! This tournament begins on June 14 and concludes on July 13. A total of 32 club teams from six continents will participate in this global event, playing a grand total of 63 matches to determine the ultimate worldwide club champion. Alongside Los Angeles, other American cities hosting this electrifying tournament include Seattle, Cincinnati, Nashville, Miami, and New York, among others.

In partnership with the entertainment world, we find ourselves competing only with the megastars of Hollywood, as global soccer players are the rare few who can match their popularity. No other realm within sports or daily life comes close to rivaling the allure of Hollywood and soccer. FIFA is currently negotiating with celebrities to join our tournament. Excitedly, we anticipate bringing some of them onto the field to showcase their soccer abilities.

Infantino stated, “Our endeavor combines elements of performance, amusement, and athletics. When discussing America, specifically Los Angeles, it’s widely understood.

The Club World Cup marks the start of several international sports competitions set to take place in Los Angeles over the next few years. Following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the city will subsequently welcome the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

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2025-04-03 06:24