FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7438) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the FIFA World Cup 2026, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7438, the FIFA 2026 World Cup Commemorative Coin Act. This is a bill that will direct the Department of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Madam Speaker, as you drive around almost any American town on a Saturday morning in the fall or spring, there is a good chance you will drive past a youth soccer match in action. Young boys and girls are giving it their all, dreaming of becoming the next Christian Pulisic or Alex Morgan.

The popularity of the sport of soccer has been on the rise in the United States since the 1960s. The biggest boom came after our country hosted the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 1994.

The excitement of that tournament led to the creation of Major League Soccer, which has grown from 10 teams in 2005 to its current 29 teams.

One can only imagine the excitement that will be generated by hosting our second World Cup tournament. The 23rd FIFA World Cup in 2026 will be the first time that 48 teams will participate. That is up from 32.

Along with 5 cities from our neighbors in Canada and Mexico, 11 U.S. cities will have the chance to showcase to the world the brilliance and diversity of our great Nation.

The United States will host matches in Dallas, Kansas City, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, Miami, and, in what is sure to be a thrilling final match at MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.

Little boys and girls all over the country will have the opportunity to watch these international superstars compete, a memory that will be sure to last a lifetime.

This bill will allow the United States Mint to produce a commemorative coin, which will provide Americans a physical keepsake. An added benefit of the Mint's Commemorative Coin Program is that there is a surcharge within the cost of the coin that helps raise money for important causes. In this case, the cause for this coin benefits soccer programs and activities around the United States. This will inspire the next generation of soccer stars in our country.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood), my good friend, and his over 290 cosponsors for introducing this worthy legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7438.

Go Team USA.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7438, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim) for yielding me the time. I echo the comments of both of my colleagues who spoke today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of our bill, H.R. 7438, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act. FIFA stands for Federation of International Football Association. As the co-chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, I am proud to lead the coin bill effort with my co-chairs of the Soccer Caucus, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen), the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon), and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor).

I am also very honored that the U.S. Soccer Federation, which operates the men's and women's team, is based in my home State of Illinois. Also, in my district, I have seven colleges and universities that have men's and women's soccer.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest sporting event in the history of the world. It will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the first time that three countries have hosted the World Cup.

We expect nearly 6 million fans to attend the matches in the United States alone. Half will be traveling to the United States from other countries. As has been noted, this is the first World Cup in 100 years where we expand it to 48 teams from the current 32 teams.

Hosting the tournament, which includes 104 matches in 16 cities, 11 of those cities in the United States, will bring generational opportunities to elevate soccer and build greater economic benefits in the States, cities, and local communities throughout the country.

Soccer is a global sport, one that continues to rapidly grow in the United States, and provides healthy outlets and opportunities for youth of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act will help support legacy programs for youth in underserved and rural communities across the Nation, ensuring kids engage in physical activity and sport.

The proceeds of the coin will support the growth of soccer throughout the United States with a focus on youth in rural areas, inner cities, and underserved communities. It is an exciting time for soccer in the United States.

The Soccer Caucus was proud to pass a resolution in 2017 supporting the United States' bid to host the 2026 World Cup, and I am proud to bring this bill to support the legacy of the World Cup to the floor here today.

Madam Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues who signed onto this bill, 290 Republicans and Democrats, who are supportive of our 2026 World Cup in the United States, along with Mexico and Canada.

The Soccer Caucus will continue to work with our partners across the Federal Government and in the soccer community to ensure a safe, smooth, and exciting World Cup here in the United States in 2026.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7438, the FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act, sponsored by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).

Madam Speaker, I am thrilled to have this opportunity to celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2026 through this commemorative coin bill, as it will be the first time the men's World Cup has been held in the United States in 32 years.

I am also proud this event will be held in part of Los Angeles. Not only that, but it will be the largest and most inclusive World Cup ever hosted. Host cities are spread throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with 48 teams competing in 16 different cities, including my hometown of Los Angeles and 10 other American cities.

This commemorative coin will provide a unique opportunity to inspire love of soccer in the United States while also celebrating this unifying global event. It is estimated that 16 million fans will attend the matches in the United States alone.

This World Cup 2026 is organized by FWC26, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit in the United States, which is designed to continue after the event has ended, emphasizing the organization's long-term commitment to soccer in the United States.

Specifically, this commemorative coin is designed to encourage United States-based soccer programs, as the proceeds from the sale of these coins will be used to grow the sport of soccer throughout the United States with a focus on youth in underserved communities.

Madam Speaker, I applaud the sponsors of this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support passage of this measure.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance my time to close.

Madam Speaker, this bill would direct the U.S. Mint to create a commemorative coin to honor the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be the first time a World Cup is hosted by three nations. I hope this event and the coin that we are creating today will bring together millions of people from different countries to celebrate soccer.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 7438 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.