USA, Mexico could team up and meet FIFA’s World Cup need

The United States and Mexico could team up and meet FIFA's need for the biggest-ever World Cup in 2026 being staged by the most host nations.

Canada has also joined the North American neighbors for informal talks about a three-way bid in a contest that FIFA will complete during American President-elect Donald Trump's first term, according to persons familiar with the talks. They spoke on grounds of anonymity because the talks are confidential.

FIFA's decision yesterday to expand the 2026 tournament — to 48 teams from 32, playing 80 games instead of 64 — increased the chances of co-hosting to share the load.

"In some regions not only does it make more sense, it's the only sense," said FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani, who leads the Canadian soccer federation. "I think when more countries share (hosting) it's an opportunity to grow the game."

Asked specifically about a potential three-way bid with the U.S. and Mexico, Montagliani said: "It's definitely a possibility because the rules now allow for it.

U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati also took part in a unanimous FIFA Council decision.

Though Mexico soccer leader Decio de Maria does not sit on FIFA's strategy-setting panel, he was also in Zurich with a toplevel delegation from the regional soccer body, known as CONCACAF.

The region was already favored to get its first World Cup since the U.S.-hosted 1994 edition, even before yesterday's expansion decision.