The United States, Mexico, and Canada will be the organizers of the first shared World Cup, for the 2026 edition

The 2026 World Cup will be held in North America, and the three most important countries of this subregion will be the hosts: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This was announced by FIFA on its official website, following the celebration of the 68th FIFA Congress held in Moscow, Russia, on June 13. The victory was achieved with 134 votes in favor of United 2026, 65 in favor of Morocco and a vote that did not choose any. Thus, Latin American soccer players and athletes will host the soccer's maximum sporting event.

Leer en español: ¿Es la primera Copa del Mundo con tres países anfitriones resultado del efecto Trump?

Trump effect?

The arrival of Trump to the presidency put some doubts on the viability of the candidacy, but the American president was open to it and strongly supported it. The climate in which the election of the headquarters took place was not the best, because in recent days Trump has distanced politically from Europe and has commercially attacked Mexico and Canada. In addition, the three countries are in the midst of tough negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement while advancing the construction of the wall between Mexico and the United States promoted by Trump. However, the World Cup has been a separate issue. Trump has been friendly to this, perhaps because of the enormous economic benefit, it represents for the nation he heads since the infrastructure would only need a little 'paint'.

Trump will be in charge of moving forward the organization of the tournament, especially if he is re-elected to remain in the White House as president until 2024. Everything unstable that the U.S. president is usually in other issues seems that in football does not apply, for this sport is in development in his country and in Canada, being a good opportunity to promote it and make a big business: the specialty of this president. Just a few days ago, the New York Times reported on the projections of Infantino, president of FIFA for 2026, in which is expected earnings of 14 billion dollars with increases in sponsorships, broadcasting rights and other items that give to the organism and the federations enormous resources.

You can also read: Do you think you know everything about the World Cups? These 10 facts can make you change your mind 

When the 2014 Brazil World Cup ended, knowing that the tournament would go to Russia and Qatar, North America began to dream of having it back by 2026. It was thought that Mexico or the United States would be the headquarters separately, with U.S. advantage for its infrastructure, resources, security, and experience. Mexico aspired to host the Copa América Centenario 2016, but this was made in the United States for its economic attractiveness. In that field, Mexico could not win the World Cup, while Canada has no experience. Then, instead of competing with each other, and taking advantage of the new tournament format announced by FIFA in 2017, North America decided to present a joint bid, as reported by the Mexican website Medio Tiempo.

Fifth defeat for Morocco

Again, the Moroccan candidacy has been left behind after its attempts for 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2010. The Africans hoped that these attempts would pay their candidacy. Just in April, Morocco sent a letter to FIFA in protest of not being notified in time of changes in the criteria for evaluating the candidates, as reported by Medio Tiempo, as the Moroccans considered their candidacy boycotted at different times.

The African country offered greater security, has better numbers in this area than Mexico and the United States, had an apparent support from the Arab world and other countries in Africa. However, this was not enough against the economic promise of United 2026, which like the United States 1994 has great expectations in money. With the venues already built and with minor investments at the door, the benefits will be the greatest in history. The Spanish agency EFE reported on April 12 that Conmebol requested FIFA that Qatar 2022 already have 48 teams, something that the agency has left pending at the 68th Congress held in Moscow. Until this situation is solved, we will know if the 2026 World Cup will be the first or the second with 48 teams.

Latin American Post | Luis Angel Hernández Liborio

Translated from "¿Es la primera Copa del Mundo con tres países anfitriones resultado del efecto Trump?"