26 senators call for U.S. to host World Cup

A bipartisan coalition of senators has started to lobby FIFA, soccer's global governing body, to allow the United States to host the World Cup eight or 12 years from now. Led by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), the group has contacted FIFA's president, Sepp Blatter, in Zurich, to support the bid already submitted by the U.S. Soccer Federation.

"As always, we relish the opportunity to showcase our enthusiasm for this sport and hope that Americans will be given a chance to display their passion," the letter reads. "The World Cup's message is one of inclusion and international harmony; the United States wants to stand with the people of the world in the celebration of this great sport."

The U.S. last hosted the World Cup in 1994, and boasted record-breaking crowds at sports stadiums throughout the country. The statement said the tournament would bring "millions" to the U.S. economy, and that, if chosen, the U.S. would expand the number of venue cities to 18 from its previous nine.

The 26-member coalition includes Sens. Gillibrand, Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), George LeMieux (R-Fla.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Kit Bond (R-Mo.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Scott Brown (R-Mass.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Bob Casey, Jr., (D-Pa.), Arlen Specter (D-Pa.), Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.).