USA, Mexico, and Canada to host 2026 World Cup

[POND_OF_RED]

MOSCOW — The United States will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup after its three-way bid – along with Mexico and Canada – was granted staging rights during a vote here on Wednesday.

The “United” bid, that will see 60 of the tournament’s games held in the U.S., with Canada and Mexico getting 10 each, beat out the underdog campaign of Morocco to bring soccer’s biggest show back to American soil.

The U.S. previously hosted in 1994 and the potential for a highly lucrative tournament, plus the existing stadiums and infrastructure, likely played a major role in swaying voters.

With the breakdown of voting results made public, the United bid claimed 134 votes, with 64 giving their support to Morocco and one country voting for neither bid.

After the U.S. men's national team missed out on qualifying for this summer’s tournament, which kicks off at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Thursday, the news of the successful bid was a boost to frustrated American soccer fans.

Following allegations of corruption regarding the 2018 and 2022 voting process back in 2010, more than 200 member nations took part in the decision this time around, instead of a 24-person committee.

While Morocco, as expected, obtained strong support in Africa, the United bid’s power base in Central and South America, plus some welcome backing from parts of Europe and Asia, made the difference.

There had been concerns that political factors, such as the United States’ waning popularity overseas and what was perceived as an interfering tweet about the bid from President Donald Trump, would count against it.

However, the strong marks the United bid received from FIFA evaluators boosted its prospects. It is expected that both semifinals and the final will all be held in U.S. venues.

Indeed, Trump's behind-the-scenes actions may even have helped sway some key votes. The White House provided U.S. Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro with three separate letters that Cordeiro showed to delegates, containing guarantees from Trump that any immigration policies relating to predominantly Muslim countries would impose no restriction affecting the tournament.

Both bids were permitted 15 minutes to make a presentation to the FIFA members immediately before the vote. The United Bid featured a youth team player from each of the three nations, beginning with a moving tale by 17-year-old Canadian Alphonso Davies, the current Major League Soccer player of the week, about how his family had been welcomed after fleeing civil war in Africa.

The three federation chiefs also spoke, with Cordeiro strongly emphasizing the profitability of a North American tournament, promising $11 billion in revenues.

Morocco's presentation took some not-so-subtle shots at the U.S., highlighting the fact that guns are banned in Morocco and stating that during the 1994 World Cup even world-renowned soccer stars were unknown in America.

It was a solid performance by Morocco, which entered bidding late and was always going to be up against the odds. In the end it wasn't enough, and Americans fans can look forward to the return of soccer's greatest event in what can only be seen as a massive boost for the domestic game.

[SuperBowl4]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I'll watch the USA in the World Cup or some of it anyway.

Soccer is just better seen live. I stumbled into a Manchester United pub in London. I tried to talk shit about soccer. They laughed at me. You Americans don't even know enough about football to even trash talk. Lets just have a pint and tell me about Farah Facett(its 1984). I ended up getting drunk with them and they let me go to the game and sit with them if I promised to join in if there was trouble.

If you can see soccer at that level, in that atmosphere it rocks. Didn't understand the rules but everyone was having so much in the stands, its infectious.

I went to a soccer game at Arrowhead. I don't understand the rules or why professional players couldn't pass it to one another. If a QB can throw a simple 15 yard pass. an outfielder must be able to throw to 2B, why cant a soccer player pass the ball 20 yards down the field consistently? I thought this sucks. Them I saw a World Cup game and they all were able to do crisp passes to each other. Way different game.

I went to the 1994 Third place game at the Rose Bowl. It was a very hot day as Sweden beat Bulgaria. Those players were in great shape to play in that heat. Great experience.

[Prison Bitch]

World FIFA rankings:

21. Tunisia
22. Iceland
25. USA

Bwaahgagaha! Just stop playing. Iceland has 334,000 people and they're better? That's half the population of Jackson Co for crying out loud

[SuperBowl4]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Iran with surprising pressure. No result yet, though.

Those adidas shoes seem to be a good fit! I'm pulling for IRAN in this one just because NIKE pulled that move! That player for Morocco has to have suffered a concussion. The injury acting of the match belongs to #23 of IRAN in the 88th minute. Even the official wasn't buying it. GOAL IRAN!! In the 94th minute!! OWN GOAL Morocco commits suicide with two minutes remaining

[Baby Lee]

Holy Snikesadiddas!!

Iran with the win, 4 minutes into stoppage.

Own goal. . . Tragedy.

Onward - SPA/POR!!!!

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

World FIFA rankings:

21. Tunisia
22. Iceland
25. USA

Bwaahgagaha! Just stop playing. Iceland has 334,000 people and they're better? That's half the population of Jackson Co for crying out loud

If our country loved soccer as much as the rest of the world, our best athletes would destroy every country every World Cup.

[banecat]

Originally Posted by RunKC

If our country loved soccer as much as the rest of the world, our best athletes would destroy every country every World Cup.

It'll happen eventually. As football becomes less popular, and more and more parents don't allow their kids to play it, other sports will be getting that talent. Scholarships that went for football will go for other sports and so on. And hopefully once all of that talent shifts the scoring will go up too. Winning will help, but higher scoring could help a lot also

[SuperBowl4]

Originally Posted by RunKC

If our country loved soccer as much as the rest of the world, our best athletes would destroy every country every World Cup.

It's not that simple.

[SuperBowl4]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Holy Snikesadiddas!!

Iran with the win, 4 minutes into stoppage.

Own goal. . . Tragedy.

Onward - SPA/POR!!!!

Adidas 1 Nike 0

[Baby Lee]

Ronaldo wastes no time getting over his $20M criminal fraud sanction, and taking it out on the field.

[Baby Lee]

How does David Silva NOT?!?!??!

[SuperBowl4]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Ronaldo wastes no time getting over his $20M criminal fraud sanction, and taking it out on the field.

Ronaldo's net worth is a reported $412 million. This deal he struck to pay $21 million for tax fraud is a pretty good deal along with no jail time. If Portugal wins the World Cup Ronaldo will make back that $21 million in endorsements. This is his last shot at winning the World Cup.

[Baby Lee]

LOTS of opportunities, but precious little finishing power.

And just like that a MAN-SIZED goal. Maybe a little too man-sized. But you can't apologize for advantages granted.

[SuperBowl4]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

LOTS of opportunities, but precious little finishing power.

And just like that a MAN-SIZED goal. Maybe a little too man-sized.

Who are you picking to win this game?

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by SuperBowl4

Who are you picking to win this game?

If I had to, Spain. But both sides are primed for max effort and are displaying it right now.

This is a RIGHT CRACKER of a game thus far.

[MarkDavis'Haircut]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

World FIFA rankings:

21. Tunisia
22. Iceland
25. USA

Bwaahgagaha! Just stop playing. Iceland has 334,000 people and they're better? That's half the population of Jackson Co for crying out loud

We are #1 in the ranking that matters: World Wars.