Manchester — The bidding process has yet to begin, but the joint proposal from the US, Canada and Mexico to host the 2026 World Cup is already the heavy favourite to win. A series of decisions made by the sport’s governing body Fifa, since the scandal over the voting for the 2018 and 2022 editions, have loaded the dice in favour of the North American bid. In October, Fifa’s ruling body decided that no country could bid for the 2026 hosting if its continental confederation had hosted one of the two preceding tournaments. The controversial 2010 decision awarded 2018 to Russia and 2022 to Qatar, meaning, unless there is a major change of heart from Fifa, no European or Asian country can compete with the North American bid. That leaves Africa, South America and Oceania as potential bidders, but no candidate has emerged so far, although the Confederation of African Football has talked, in vague terms, about a possible Moroccan bid. Fifa has also voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.