A pitch for sanity

Who would have guessed that FIFA had such a delicious sense of humour?

All soccer fans will know the international governing body of the sport has awarded the 2026 World Cup to Canada, Mexico and the United States as co-hosts.

Imagine. Not only has FIFA bestowed on this continent the opportunity of hosting the planet’s premiere sporting event. It has, for a moment, diverted North American attention from border walls, and trade wars, and railings about special places in hell.

At a stroke, a body so known for corruption that a comedian interrupted a news conference a few years ago to shower its former president Sepp Blatter with money might qualify as a force for peace.

It has obligated the three nations, to some degree, to collaborate and get along for the next eight years.

If FIFA can adopt the ethos of Mr. Rogers, surely anything is possible. World peace. An end to hunger. A Maple Leafs Stanley Cup.

The current blueprint calls for Canada and Mexico to stage 10 games each, with the U.S. hosting 60. Edmonton, Toronto and Montreal are candidate host cities.

With serious human rights concerns raised over host nations Russia, for the 2018 tournament opening this week, and Qatar in 2022, FIFA had attached new human rights requirements to World Cup bids for 2026.

So everyone on this uncharacteristically cantankerous continent will presumably be aiming to put their best foot forward. The blessings are numerous. Canadians will get a chance to see the top showcase of the beautiful game.

The Canadian men’s team, which has qualified only once for the World Cup, will — as a host nation — be competing.

And, assuming there is no constitutional coup in America, a new president will welcome the footballing nations of the world.

Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole!

FIFA has obligated the three nations, to some degree, to collaborate and get along for the next eight years