MOROCCO FILES SURPRISE BID FOR 2026 WORLD CUP

North America has a late challenge from North Africa in the contest to host the 2026 World Cup.

Morocco will bid for the tournament, its soccer federation said Friday, with the announcement coming on FIFA’s deadline day. Morocco’s last-minute move means a joint North American bid between the United States, Canada and Mexico will not be the only one for 2026. It’s the North African kingdom’s fifth attempt at hosting the World Cup.

The United States, Canada and Mexico launched their joint bid in April and had hoped to be awarded the World Cup unchallenged.