HOUSTON, TX — As Houston prepares to host FIFA World Cup 26™, the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee and the Sports Authority Foundation today announced the launch of Impact Houston 26.
Impact Houston 26 is a collaboration between the Houston 2026 World Cup Host Committee and the Sports Authority Foundation to ensure that this once-in-a-generation event creates a legacy that lasts for decades.
Impact Houston 26 will operate under The Sports Authority Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed to further the charitable and community-focused initiatives of the Harris County–Houston Sports Authority and its affiliated local organizing committees.
“The Sports Authority Foundation exists for one reason: to serve our community by unlocking the power of sports to inspire and transform. With FIFA World Cup 2026 coming to Houston, we fused that belief with the Host Committee’s vision for a lasting legacy. The result is Impact Houston 2026, a bold legacy initiative designed to match the scale and spirit of the world’s biggest sporting event,” says Ryan Walsh, Chief Executive Officer – Harris County–Houston Sports Authority.
Impact Houston 26 will manage the legacy and community programs for the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee. It will ensure that legacy remains a primary objective and that the programs are sustainable well beyond 2026.
Guided by three core pillars: Growing the Game, Defending Human Rights, and Protecting the Environment, Impact Houston 26 represents a unified effort to establish impactful legacy initiatives that will help elevate the quality of life across the region and set an example for future host cities around the world.
“This is Houston’s time to shine, not just for the month of the tournament but for generations to come,” said Chris Canetti, President of the FWC26 Houston Host Committee. “We have been driven by legacy since day one, and it is great to see the original vision coming to fruition as the World Cup approaches. Fueled by the generous support of Houston’s corporate community, we are ready to show what meaningful impact looks like in action.”
Any money earmarked for World Cup legacy and/or coming from a surplus of Host Committee funds will be reserved for World Cup legacy programs through Impact Houston 26. Grants will be distributed over time in accordance with the Host Committee’s legacy plans.
Host Committee-led initiatives that could fall under Impact Houston 26 include:
- Field Development
- Youth Soccer Programming
- Soccer Clinics and Tournaments
- Coach and Referee Development Programs
- Art of Soccer
- Sustainability Programs
- Human Rights Programs
Impact Houston 26 is funded in part by Houston Host City Supporters and Donors, which currently include Aramco, Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, CenterPoint, Cheniere, Chevron, Citgo, City of Sugar Land, Houston Methodist, Lone Star Sports and Entertainment, NRG, Oxy, Quanta, Shell, and Sysco.
More information about specific programming will be announced on a rolling basis in advance of the FIFA World Cup 26™ tournament beginning in June 2026.
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About the Harris County–Houston Sports Authority and Sports Authority Foundation
The Harris County–Houston Sports Authority (HCHSA), founded in 1997, is responsible for servicing the debt of the world-class sports venues it was created to build and ensuring their long-term sustainability. In support of this core mission, HCHSA leads the charge in attracting major sporting events to Houston and promoting our region as a home for all sports-related activities. This ultimately results in enhancing our economic development, improving the quality of life for our residents, and reinforcing Houston and Harris County as a premier destination for marquee sporting events. Its 501(c)(3) arm, the Sports Authority Foundation, manages the community engagement and legacy programs tied to major events, including FIFA World Cup 26™ in Houston, through Impact Houston 26. Learn more at Harris County–Houston Sports Authority and Sports Authority Foundation.
About the FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee
The Houston World Cup Host Committee, operating under the Sports Authority Foundation, collaborates with FIFA, the City of Houston, Harris County, and community stakeholders to ensure a world-class experience for players, fans, and visitors surrounding FIFA World Cup 2026™. Alongside stakeholders, the Host Committee oversees operations, safety, transportation and logistics for the seven FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches to take place at NRG Stadium and the open-to-the-public FIFA Fan Fest™ to be held in East Downtown Houston during the length of the tournament. A core tenet of the Host Committee is a commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in Houston beyond the tournament via initiatives that advance human rights, sustainability, and the growth of soccer. Learn more at FWC26 Houston.
