NAmerica may face rivals for 2026 World Cup in rapid process
MANAMA, Bahrain — North America’s request for an accelerated awarding of the 2026 World Cup without facing a challenge is on hold, for a few months at least.
FIFA’s ruling council decided Tuesday to allow three more months for rival bids to be presented under plans that have to be rubber-stamped by the congress of all soccer nations on Thursday. A final decision is still anticipated by FIFA on hosting rights next year.
Europe and Asia are not currently eligible to bid because they are hosting the next World Cups — Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. So Africa and South America have until August to find countries to bid – and stall the joint CONCACAF campaign by the United States, Canada and Mexico to land 2026.
Even if the Americans face a challenge, the FIFA Council still hopes for a decision to be taken at the congress in June 2018 in Moscow. If that congress is not satisfied that the bid — or bids — presented meet FIFA’s technical or human rights requirements, the process would be re-opened and any country would be allowed to enter the race before a 2020 vote.