BATTLE OF THE BIDS DOWN TO THE WIRE

United 2026, the joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico to host the men’s World Cup, will learn its fate on Wednesday morning in Moscow, just before this year’s tournament gets underway. The bid from this side of the pond has to beat out Morocco to bring soccer’s biggest tournament to North and Central America. The U.S. would host 60 games, Canada and Mexico 10 apiece. Here’s a quick look at each bid’s strengths and weaknesses, according to the FIFA evaluation report:

UNITED 2026

PROS: Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium was ranked the fifth-best stadium. Toronto’s BMO Training Ground was mentioned among high-quality training facilities. All of the 23 stadiums are already fully operational. With no infrastructure worries, FIFA could focus on forward-looking areas such as innovations in sports science, fan engagement and multimedia.

CONS: While Canada wasn’t rated as a high risk in any area, organizing costs, legal/government support and human rights and labour standards were all deemed medium risk. Stadiums in Montreal and Cincinnati would need a total of $335.5 million U.S. in work. Edmonton ranked worst in terms of accomodations and second-lowest for transportation options, ahead of only Guadalajara, Mexico.

MOROCCO

PROS: The bid’s strength is in government support. Dealing with just one host country and association also has its advantages for FIFA. All matches would take place within a single time zone and a 550kilometre radius of the country’s biggest city, Casablanca.

CONS: Stadiums, accommodation and transportation were all labelled high risk. Nine of the 14 proposed stadiums don’t exist, with the other five in need of significant renovations. Training sites would also need significant improvements.