Stadiums & Real Estate

FIFA Officials: SoFi Stadium’s Dimensions Are “Too Narrow” for World Cup

FIFA officials stated that SoFi Stadium does not meet the requirements necessary to stage a soccer game.
Stan Kroenke and the Rams are reportedly “exploring options” to widen the surface.

Apr 04, 2022 | 03:24 pm

UPDATED Apr 04, 2022 | 03:35 pm

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Since opening in September 2021, SoFi Stadium has been the site of everything from youth football championships to the most recent Super Bowl.

Now, owner Stan Kroenke faces another challenge: trying to make his $5 billion stadium a model of versatility for live events.

With USA, Mexico, and Canada set to co-host the 2026 World Cup, FIFA officials stated that SoFi does not meet the requirements necessary to stage a soccer game because the dimensions of its pitch are too narrow.

Kroenke and the Rams are reportedly “exploring options” to widen the surface as part of their bid but haven’t yet convinced FIFA officials.

Given SoFi’s dimensions, they would need to extend the width of the field by at least 63 feet. Thus, if Kroenke plans on hosting the World Cup as planned, he’ll need to dish out even more cash to redevelop the 70,000-seat stadium.

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