U.S., Mexico discussing joint bid for 2026 World Cup
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The United States and Mexico have discussed submitting a joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup, officials from both countries confirmed to ESPN.
The discussions took place while both countries were in Mexico City for the FIFA Congress this week, and the possibility of a joint bid has already been met with support from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, according to the report.
“We have spoken to our Mexican counterparts and are very open to the idea of a joint bid,” John Motta, a United States Soccer Federation board member, told ESPN. “It could be a positive move for the game in both countries and it's also a very exciting proposition for FIFA. We will now go away and formulate a timetable for further discussions.”
The FIFA Council announced earlier this week it would accept joint bids for the 2026 World Cup. The World Cup has not been hosted by multiple countries since 2002, when Japan and South Korea split hosting duties.
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“Mr. Infantino was very enthusiastic about my idea for a joint bid and wants me to pursue this further,” Mexican Football Federation president Decio De Maria told ESPN.
Both countries have said they will bid independently if the joint bid does not work out. The host of the 2026 World Cup will be decided in May 2020.
[ESPN FC]
