Letter from Sunil Gulati, President of U.S. Soccer and Chairman of USA Bid Committee

Regarding FIFA's Selection of the Host Nation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Dec. 2, 2010

IN THE IMAGE: Sunil Gulati, the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation and chairman of the USA Bid Committee, was one of four presenters for the USA bid.

Just a few minutes ago, FIFA announced the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Despite our best efforts, the United States was not chosen for this honor.

There's no way around it: I am disappointed. Millions of U.S. soccer fans worked hard to bring the World Cup to our country. To come up short is very difficult to take.

But in the face of this disappointment, we shouldn't lose track of all that we achieved. During the past two years, the outpouring of support for soccer in the United States has been inspiring and historic. More than one million people signed on to our Bid, and more than 100 million watched last summer's World Cup.

Thanks to your efforts, the Game is stronger than ever in our country, and it will continue to grow stronger. There's no question that you've helped make a lasting impact on soccer in the United States. The entire country – and the entire world – took notice.

Congratulations to Qatar for its successful bid and Russia for its successful bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Even though our Bid did not win, the future of soccer is bright in the United States. You've proven to the world that The Game Is In You, and that the Game Is In US.

Thank you for all that you've done.

Sincerely,