ORLANDO, Fla. – Phil Rawlins insists next month’s Copa America Centenario is a “dress rehearsal” for an even bigger prize in Orlando: World Cup 2026.
The Orlando City president was speaking at a press conference at the newly-renamed Camping World Stadium (formerly the Citrus Bowl), along with a host of local dignitaries, Fort Lauderdale Strikers' Haitian captain Jean-Marc Alexandre and City’s own Julio Baptista – a two-time Copa winner.
And there is no doubt in Rawlins’ mind that having three games, including Brazil vs. Haiti, in Orlando in June is merely another stepping stone in the overall end-game of the self-proclaimed "Soccer Capital of the South."
“In simple terms, this is a dress rehearsal for the World Cup,” Rawlins explained. “I believe strongly that the US has a tremendous chance as hosts of the 2026 tournament, and then it’s a case of proving that Orlando deserves to be one of the host cities.
“If we can show an international audience that the city can do a great job of hosting three games of Copa, people will look back at this tournament and say Orlando is a real contender to host World Cup again, as it did in 1994.”
Rawlins, who admits attracting international tournaments to Central Florida has been one of his aims since arriving here in 2011, has a three-step litmus test for demonstrating the city’s worthiness for the biggest event of them all.
“If I were an independent judge, I would be looking first of all at the hospitality of the welcome to the various teams and then the facilities we can provide. The third piece will be the crowds and the support that the teams get here in Orlando. If it’s at the level we know and expect of soccer fans in Central Florida, when we turn this stadium into a cauldron, we can make a great case for the city in 2026.”
The Lions chief admits he will have mixed feelings if star man Kaká is picked for the Brazil squad – “It will be great if he makes it, but equally, being selfish, I won’t be unhappy if he doesn’t and we can keep him here” – but is convinced the arrival of Copa is a sign of greater things for the region as a whole.
“This should be the first of many tournaments like this that we can bring to Orlando,” he added. “To see Brazil play here is a fabulous prospect, but we are also going to have great players on that field regardless of what shirt they are wearing, and I think that is going to energize our great fan base even further.”
Haiti’s Alexandre, who played for City during their USL days in 2012 and ’13, is equally convinced Copa in Florida will be a huge success.
“Orlando has been ready for a while now,” he said. “For me, this tournament is second only to the World Cup and I think the US is not only ready for Copa, but any type of competition. It will be exciting to be coming home to Orlando for this experience.”
