Hidalgo urges everyone to speak the 2026 World Cup in Houston 'into existence'

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is on board with having the 2026 World Cup in Houston and she's encouraging everyone to get the attention of the international soccer governing body, FIFA, to make it happen.

Hidalgo took to social media last week to remind everyone that Houston is a finalist to host the quadrennial international men's soccer championship.

"So, I need you to help us spread the word because that's the way we're going to get FIFA to let us in on the fun," Hidalgo said in a video posted Wednesday, Oct. 6, to her Twitter account.

Hidalgo's Twitter post came the same day that the Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee launched its "Spirit of Houston" campaign to show off what it calls "the city’s united, community-driven and innovative approach that sets it apart from other candidate cities."

The campaign was launched a few weeks after the committee and the U.S. Soccer Foundation announced a $6 million campaign in support of the city's “Grow the Game” initiative to provide underserved communities access to soccer.

In her Twitter post, Hidalgo urged everyone to join in a campaign to actualize the 2026 World Cup in Houston, to "speak it into existence."

Houston is a wonderful place to host a world-class soccer tournament, Hidalgo said in her video.

"Houston is a world-class city," she said. "You know that. We are the space city. We're the energy capital of the world. A cultural and culinary hub. The most diverse city in the country. And in a place where 145 languages are spoken, soccer, in some ways, is a common language."

Houston stands apart as a place where city residents show pride in their hometown and should be forgiven "if we like to show it off," Hidalgo said.

"Let's show it off to the world during the 2026 World Cup," she said. "There are 17 cities in the running, and 10 will be selected. So, we have a good chance. Share this. Spread the word, and help make sure that the World Cup comes right here to Houston and Harris County."

Hidalgo's twitter post, at this writing, has 1,581 retweets, 218 quote tweets and 4,037 likes.