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Atlanta's burgeoning soccer scene was featured in North America's successful bid for 2026 World Cup.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium was shown off in the videos the North American bid officials played for FIFA voters Wednesday in Russia. The images were all shiny Ronald Jones II Jersey Elite , new and impressive 鈥?from the stadium's retractable roof and huge oval video board to the all-important shots of sellout crowds for MLS Atlanta United.

The video evidence helped sway FIFA to overwhelmingly approve the bid from the United States, Mexico and Canada. The bid suggested Atlanta and Dallas as host sites for 2026 semifinals, and Atlanta United season ticket-holder Ken Harper can't wait.

"Based on the world-wide interest in the World Cup, I think it has the potential to have the same impact the Olympics did in '96 on our city," Harper said Wednesday. "I think it's fantastic."

In its second season, Atlanta United already has set three MLS single-game attendance records, most recently 72,035 for a March 11 win over D.C. United. The Atlanta home average of 48,200 for the 2017 season also set a record.

"You have one of the best stadiums in the world full of passionate soccer fans," Harper said.

The World Cup will return to the U.S. for the first time since 1994. It was an important win, especially with the U.S. left out of the 2018 World Cup field in Russia.

Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto expressed pride his nation will be the first to host three World Cups, following 1970 and 1986.

Pena Nieto said FIFA's decision is a vote of confidence in Mexico and added "it is not only our people and our families Taven Bryan Jaguars Jersey , our companies and our businesspeople, soccer also knows that Canada, the United States and Mexico are deeply united."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used Twitter to offer congratulations "to everyone who worked hard on this bid 鈥?it's going to be a great tournament!"

Celebratory reactions on social media came from all quarters.

Landon Donovan, the MLS all-time scoring leader, expressed excitement 鈥?and impatience 鈥?on his Twitter account.

"Just woke up to the news that the 2026 World Cup is coming to North America!!!!!!!! Congrats to everyone who put in the tireless work to make it happen. How are we supposed to wait 8 more years?" Donovan said.

U.S. defender Matt Besler said the World Cup will be "a great opportunity to showcase what our region has to offer and it's a great opportunity to create history. It's an opportunity for generations to share memories and to create memories, and years from now we're going to look back on this time and have great memories about that."

MLS Commissioner Don Garber described the winning bid as "a testament to how our three nations came together for an unprecedented united bid. It's a monumental step in our collective vision to further advance the game of soccer here and to do what we can to help grow the game around the world."

FIFA will select host cities from 23 candidates proposed in the bid. Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan began lobbying for her city on Wednesday. Like Atlanta, Seattle offers enthusiastic support.

"It's our fan base," Durkan said. "Seattle is iconic around the world. I've had the honor of going to a couple different FIFA Congresses, and people around the world know Seattle. They want to come here. They want to come here for a reason. I think that's going help us."

The Baltimore Ravens used their Twitter account to post a photo of M&T Bank Stadium "shining red, white and blue tonight as we support the World Cup United Bid. ... We hope to see a World Cup match in Baltimore!"

Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman was kicking a soccer ball following Wednesday's minicamp practice when he was told the World Cup is coming to the U.S.

"That is bananas," Norman said. "It's going to be here, so I won't have any problem going. I will be a part of that. I'm super-excited about it. Then again http://www.cardinalsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-josh-rosen-jersey , I would love to travel internationally. But it's good that you don't have to go far. ... You're right in the middle of it."

Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap, who played soccer before he was allowed to play football as a child, said he has always wanted to experience the excitement of a World Cup.

"I've tossed it around many times, going over there to see World Cup because the energy they have at their games and stadiums for soccer is second to none 鈥?unless it's us against the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Florida Gators against Georgia in the Cocktail Party," said Dunlap, who attended Florida. "It rivals those."

The annual Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville, Florida has been topped on the list of the state's top sporting events, according to Cole Stranahan, 14.

Stranahan, a native of Orlando, Florida who was visiting Atlanta with family members on Wednesday, said the rise of soccer in his state will be boosted by the World Cup.

"When I was born in Orlando soccer was hardly even a thing in Florida Blake Martinez Jersey Elite ," Stranahan said. "Now in Orlando it's the main sport even ahead of basketball. Having a new team has really helped. But it's just getting the World Cup here in North America is showing how it's growing in the region."

AP Sports Writers Howard Fendrich, Joe Kay, Tom Withers, Jenna Fryer, David Brandt and David Skretta contributed to this report.


Oakland Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley is dealing with another training camp injury and is expected to miss at least two weeks because of a hip strain.

Conley has not practiced since the first day of training camp last week and only made a brief appearance Monday while the rest of the team worked out in pads.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden did not specify how long Conley's recovery will take, but it seems certain that the 24th overall pick in 2017 will at least sit out the team's first preseason game against Detroit on Aug. 10.

"I don't have a time frame," Gruden said. "I think that (two weeks) would be a fair assessment, yes."

For the 23-year-old Conley, it has to feel like deja vu after missing all of training camp as a rookie because of shin injury that lingered into the regular season.

Oakland's first-round draft pick a year ago, Conley played in only two games last season and showed his potential when he made a stellar leaping breakup of a pass against the Jets in Week 2. But he never fully recovered from the injury and was placed on injured reserve in November.

Conley arrived in Napa last week hopeful of claiming a starting spot in Oakland's revamped secondary. In a tweet the night before the first practice, he wrote: "Praying for a healthy camp and a healthy season for me and all my brothas."

Conley got off to a good start, making an athletic play Friday to break up a pass in 7-on-7 drills after initially getting beat on an inside move. He left practice not long after that and has yet to return.

His absence comes as the Raiders are installing a new system under defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.

Guenther said he was optimistic that Conley won't be out too long and noted that his absence has opened up opportunities for other players.

"We have a lot of guys working out there at corner. It's going to be a good battle to see who come out of it Adidas Matt Murray Jersey ," Guenther said. "We're going to try to get him back on the field and make sure he's in the meeting room taking notes and understanding that he's not getting behind with the techniques of what we're teaching."

While Conley recovers, Daryl Worley has been practicing at right cornerback with the starting defense. Veteran Rashaan Melvin is on the left side.

Asked if he was concerned about Conley's injury, Gruden paused.

"I don't know if concerned is the word. I think disappointed is the word," Gruden said. "He comes out to start training camp, he's in superb shape, he makes a great play and he gets a setback. Hopefully he comes back sooner than later. Disappointed is the big word I think. His heart is broken. He's put a lot into this and he knows he has to stay healthy and get out there for us because we need him."

NOTES: RB Jalen Richard missed a second consecutive practice with a calf injury, although it's not considered serious. ... G Ian Silberman got extensive work at right tackle with both the first- and second-team offenses. ... RT Donald Penn, second-round pick P.J. Hall, DT Eddie Vanderdoes, RB Chris Warren and G Cameron Hunt were held out of practice.

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