Vote on 2026 World Cup host to be selected with new FIFA bid rules
by Associated Press
MEXICO CITYMay 12, 2016 - 12:00 am GMT+3
by Associated Press
May 12, 2016 12:00 am
The 2026 World Cup hosts will be decided in a FIFA vote in 2020 after bidding countries will undergo stringent new checks on their suitability to stage the soccer showpiece. The governing body pledged to beef up the rules after the tainted dual votes in 2010 for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups set off years of scandals that culminated in Sepp Blatter being forced out of the presidency. FIFA is yet to settle on the format for the 2026 tournament or which countries will be eligible to be hosts. FIFA's ruling council decided Tuesday that by October there should be a decision on whether FIFA President Gianni Infantino can honor an election manifesto pledge and expand the World Cup from 32 to 40 teams. With Africa, South America, Europe and Asia hosting the World Cups before 2026, it had been widely accepted that it should be North America's turn for the first time since 1994. A joint bid between the United States, Canada and Mexico has been mooted. A FIFA statement said there would also be a review on whether to allow joint bids and the "eligibility of confederations." Unlike past votes, the entire FIFA membership, which is currently 209 nations, will decide the hosts at a congress.
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