The 2026 FIFA World Cup could cost Santa Clara $38M after 49ers’ opaque deals, city attorney warns council

By Lance Williams, Ron Kroichick – San Francisco Chronicle

May 17, 2024

Santa Clara stands to lose up to $38 million hosting the World Cup at Levi’s Stadium in 2026 because of deals signed by San Francisco 49ers president Al Guido, the city attorney warned City Council members.

Until now, Santa Clara officials balked at revealing how they plan to pay for hosting six World Cup matches at the publicly owned stadium, releasing only heavily redacted financial documents and rebuffing requests for information under the state Public Records Act.