The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada after winning votes over Morocco. The voting took place in Moscow ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the joint bid was won by 134-65. This will be the fourth time that North America will host the FIFA World Cup. However, Canada had never hosted the men’s World Cup but was a host for women's tournament in 2015. Mexico hosted the mega event in 1970 and 1986. The US hosted the world cup in 1994.
48 teams will be part of the mega event and will be divided in 16 groups of three. As per US Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro, World Cup would churn a revenue of $14bn and FIFA will make $11bn. This is the first time that three nations are jointly hosting the tournament. "We can focus on the game. We are ready made. Our cities are ready to host today," said John Kristick, executive director of the United Bid Committee. Out of the 80 matches, 10 will be held in Canada, 10 in Mexico and 60 in the United States — including the final, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
“Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026," Carlos Cordiero, president of the US Soccer Federation told Congress. "Football today is the only winner,” he further added. Morocco has failed in the bid for the fifth time now. The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Qatar.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 13, 2018 04:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).