FIFA Cancels Hotel Bookings in US World Cup Cities

FIFA has canceled thousands of hotel rooms originally booked for this year's World Cup in Philadelphia, but has not given a reason. According to the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, the world football governing body canceled approximately 2,000 hotel rooms in the city. The group had previously booked nearly 10,000 rooms.

Ed Grouse, president of the Philadelphia Hotel Association, told ABC 6 that most of the cancellations were at four downtown hotels. He told reporters that FIFA did not provide any reason for the cancellations but acted within the terms of the contract and was not penalized.

According to Grouse, the FIFA hotel cancellations are also affecting other US cities hosting matches. He added that it is unclear how these cancellations will affect hotel prices, but he encouraged fans looking for hotel rooms to book their accommodations without hesitation.

“While we weren’t thrilled about it, it’s not the end of the world,” Gross said. “These rooms will be put back on the market and sold to fans who want to come to Philadelphia.” He explained that two conferences are scheduled to be held in Philadelphia at the same time as the World Cup match, and he believes filling the venues won’t be difficult.

This news in Philadelphia follows an announcement in early March that FIFA had canceled 40 percent of hotel rooms in Mexico City, according to the newspaper El Financiero. The newspaper quoted Alberto Albarrán Leyva, general manager of the Mexico City Hotel Association.