Sports
Morocco denied again, as North America wins bid to host 2026 World Cup
Africa’s hopes of hosting the World Cup in 2026 have been dashed as FIFA members voted in favour of a joint bid by United States, Canada and Mexico against Morocco’s proposal to host it.
The North African nation had offered to host the global showpiece four times before this, and has now lost the fifth time.
The decision to have the North Americans host the show was reached after 200 Fifa member nations casted a vote at the 68th Fifa Congress in Moscow on Wednesday.
The winning bid needed a majority of 104, but the ‘United 2026’ bid won with 134 votes compared to 65 for Morocco.
After the decision was reached, head of Morocco Federation said: “I wish to congratulate Fifa for the conduct of this process and congratulate the president for what he has done in order to move things towards more transparency and more inclusion.
“I would like to reaffirm the determination of my country to continue to work for football and realise one day our dream to host the World Cup in Morocco.”
Read Also: Spain sack coach Lopetegui two days before W’Cup opener
The 2026 tournament will mark the first time a World Cup has been shared by three host nations.
At the congress, United State’s Soccer chief Carlos Cordeiro thanked the governing body for voting in their favour.
“Football is the only victor. We are all united in football.
“Thank you so, so much for this incredible honour. Thank you for entrusting us with this privilege,” he said.
The 2026 tournament will be the biggest World Cup ever held – with 48 teams playing 80 matches over 34 days.
And of the sixteen cities to host the tournament, ten will be in the United States while the remainder will be split evenly between Canada and Mexico.
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