FIFA delays bidding for 2026 host
On another day of turmoil for FIFA and the World Cup, the bidding contest for the 2026 tournament was put on hold.
FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke said Wednesday it would be “nonsense” to begin the next bidding process on schedule this week amid the U.S. investigation into soccer corruption.
Both Canada and the U.S. have expressed interest in hosting the 2026 World Cup.
“We’ve expressed interest in hosting 2026, but have always said we would wait to see the hosting and bid requirements outlined by FIFA before making a final decision,” a Canada Soccer spokeswoman said. “We initially expected these later this year, which following (Wednesday) morning’s announcement by FIFA looks to have changed and revolve around timelines that are now unknown.”
The storm unleashed by separate U.S. and Swiss federal investigations has already further sul- lied FIFA’s image and led to the resignation of its president, Sepp Blatter.
The favourite to succeed Blatter, former protege turned adversary Michel Platini, criticized soccer’s governing body later Wednesday while also welcoming a delay in 2026 business.
“Today there is no leadership at FIFA so it’s normal that it’s been suspended,” the UEFA president and former playing great from France said at a news conference in Paris.
FIFA’s executive committee will meet to choose an election date in a special session next month — possibly July 24 in St. Petersburg. The 209 FIFA member federations will vote for a new president four months after a deadline set for would-be candidates to apply.