US, Canada, Mexico to host World Cup 2026

The North American bid has won the hosting rights for the 2026 World Soccer Cup on Wednesday on a pledge of a record $11 billion in profits for world soccer governing body, FIFA.

The combined bid from the United States, Mexico and Canada defeated its only challenger, Morocco, by a vote of 134-65.

The USA-led bid was judged by a Fifa taskforce to be vastly superior to their North African rival on technical grounds, with a total of 23 stadiums, already built or under construction, at their disposal.

Also, the FIFA hierarchy, including President Gianni Infantino, preferred the United 2026 bid, to generate around a $11bn profit for FIFA compared to the projected $5.7bn if the tournament is held in Morocco.

After the controversial award of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments to Russia and Qatar respectively, FIFA has promised a “more open and transparent” vote this time.

Wednesday’s vote was the first in which each FIFA member association was given a say on where the World Cup would be held.

As a reminder the United States hosted men soccer World Cup in 1994. It was held in Mexico in 1970 and 1986.

About Khalid Al Mouahidi 4375 Articles
Khalid Al Mouahidi : A binational from the US and Morocco, Khalid El Mouahidi has worked for several american companies in the Maghreb Region and is currently based in Casablanca, where he is doing consulting jobs for major international companies . Khalid writes analytical pieces about economic ties between the Maghreb and the Mena Region, where he has an extensive network