The FIFA World Cup in Santa Clara is a dream come true for many.
The last time the World Cup was here in America was 1994. A hot dog at the games was roughly $3.50, Bill Clinton was President, Pete Wilson was Governor. Lisa Gillmor was on the City Council and was going to run for Mayor that fall. Current President Trump back then was navigating financial difficulties and rebuilding his brand and Current Governor Newsom was graduating from Santa Clara University and running a wine shop in San Francisco. The games were affordable and highlighted Stanford where it hosted six games, including hosting the eventual World Cup Champion Team Brazil who beat Italy in the final down in Pasadena. Stanford was selected to host some games over Candlestick Park and some other big name cities which back then was a surprise.
Flash forward to 2026: a hot dog at the games costs about $10, Trump is President, Newsom is Governor, Gillmor is Mayor and Santa Clara has been selected to host 12 World Cup matches, including Team USA’s Round of 32 knockout game right here in the Mission City. Tickets are pricey, but the matches at Levi’s Stadium—or, as FIFA is temporarily calling it, “San Francisco Bay Area Stadium“—are among the cheapest compared to other host venues. It’s still kind of ridiculous that they have to cover up all the stadium branding and can’t even use the Levi’s Stadium name. Regardless, ticket prices for the Round of 32 are skyrocketing because Team USA is expected to play in Santa Clara. The city will be center stage for the nation—and for much of the world. How great is that?
In 2021 Councilmember Karen Hardy presented a resolution of support to bring the 2026 FIFA World Cup to Santa Clara’s stadium. It was met with support and skepticism by Mayor Gillmor and Councilmember Watanabe followed by the merry band of Gillmor’s disciples speaking in public comments. Mayor Gillmor continued to say she has so many concerns about the World Cup, its costs and other political garbage. To her credit, Gillmor had some points about protections to the city and costs. We all want that, and every Councilmember wanted that but that didn’t stop Gillmor from politicizing the World Cup and is now being accused of leaking World Cup secrets. Remember that Mayor Gillmor authored the original letter to bring the 2026 World Cup to the City of Santa Clara back in 2017, the basis of what Councilmember Karen Hardy used. Yet Gillmor continues to politically benefit from the games by doing promo videos tossing balls around, greeting world leaders at the airport and flexing her power on the economic development and marketing committee spending money how she chooses all while on the other hand acting as the “I warned you” and micromanaging the process and games. Just like the bringing in the stadium first, Gillmor wanted the World Cup first but is going to complain about it first just like the stadium. She takes no responsibility for any shortcomings or failures. Gillmor wants to undermine the games in some way or form. Either its demanding financial records as she has done many times over the decades for something she had a vendetta against, then claims she is stonewalled. Now, she has her favorite journalist outside her favorite blogger, San Francisco Chronicle’s Lance Williams doing overtime. The First Amendment Coalition is suing on behalf of Lance Williams for World Cup records from San Jose State University based on non-disclosure agreements.
https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/fac-sues-san-jose-state-university-for-world-cup-host-committee-records/. This is something he has been trying to get from the City of Santa Clara and reported on based on supposed leaked information back in 2024. What stands out like a sore thumb is that Lance Williams seems to have close ties to Quintin Kopp, the former judge and grand jury expert who sent intimidating letters to Councilmembers. Kopp was Lance Williams’ source in 2022 about whether or not the 49ers’ Rahul Chandok was in legal jeopardy for researching grand jurors. Quintin Kopp was on the Board of Directors for the First Amendment Coalition from 2014-2026, and is now on the Board of Special Advisors https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/about/board-of-special-advisors/ . Another coincidence right? Nothing to see there though. Anything to undermine the games. Yes, Lance Williams and many have a point on the costs of the games just like the Mayor. However, the mentality to convey wrong doing is bad for business. It is the standard operating procedure of the Gillmor Machine to accuse of funny business and create a narrative of financial mismanagement. The games are not even over and she wants numbers.
Santa Clara is one of the best deals a city can have compared to other cities’ financial stakes. Something that this city council should be commended for. It is also something that should be commended for the architects of Measure J to protect the city even if they flipped sides and demonize the stadium now.
Yet Gillmor and her great machine will not rain on the parades of many attendees here in the City of Santa Clara. As the large crowds move in carrying their nations colors and flags it is an iconic moment for this city and region. It drowns out the Gillmor negativity noise.
To be continued…
Roger Kint