The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
United bid to host 2026 World Cup wins the vote
USA, Canada and Mexico triumph over Morocco to clinch victory
With the 2018 World Cup due to kick off in Russia this afternoon it was yesterday announced that the 2026 contest will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The United bid won ahead of Morocco with 67% of the 203 votes cast at the Fifa congress in Moscow yesterday.
It is the fifth time Morocco has bid to host the tournament. The North African country claimed 33% of the vote.
The 2022 World Cup is to take place in Qatar. This was the first World Cup vote since 2010, when two hosts were named and afterwards investigators from the US and Switzerland unveiled corruption on an unprecedented scale.
The United bid received 134 votes to 65 for Morocco, with one of the 203 votes opting for neither side.
“It’s a bit emotional for us today,” US Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro told Fifa congress. “Thank you so, so very much for this incredible honour. Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of hosting the Fifa World Cup in 2026.”
The United bid had been long-time favourites but Fifa president Gianni Infantino praised Morocco’s efforts.
Despite the latest setback, Morocco vowed to continue its bid to host the tournament in future.
Morocco FA president Fouzi Lekjaa said: “I would like to reaffirm the determination of my country, Morocco, to continue to work for football, to work for the youth and also to realise some day our dream to host the World Cup in Morocco.”
Congress was earlier addressed by Russia president Vladimir Putin, who thanked Infantino a day prior to the 2018 tournament opening game between the hosts and Saudi Arabia.
The English FA was among the first to congratulate the United bid, which earned its vote.
A FA spokesperson said: “We congratulate the USA, Canada and Mexico on winning the bid to host the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Both bids were of a very high quality and we welcome the fact that the bidding process was both open and transparent.
“We cast our vote for the United bid as we believe the independent technical assessment made its advantages very clear. However, it is important to note that both bids were deemed to have met the hosting requirements and a tournament in Morocco, close to Europe and in a country that loves football, had a great deal for English football fans to be excited about.”