Yakima was selected as a site for a 2026 FIFA World Cup fan zone, officials announced at a news conference in Seattle this week.

Mayor Patricia Byers shared the news at Tuesday's city council study session and called it exciting for Yakima.

"Today, Yakima was designated an official FIFA 2026 World Cup fan zone. We'll have lots to do getting ready and it will be a very exciting time in our city," she said.

Seattle is one of 16 host cities across the Unites States, Mexico and Canada and will host six games, including two elimination games.

Yakima is one of nine fan zones in the state and one of three in Eastern Washington. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, fan zones were viewing spaces where fans could watch games live on large screens.

There were also entertainment and food options, according to FIFA's website, and the sites primarily served local fans.

After Tuesday's meeting, Byers said she was unsure what the fan zone would look like in Yakima, but mentioned State Fair Park as a possible location.