WASHINGTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The soccer federations of the United States, Mexico and Canada announced on Monday that they will make a joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup.
"This is a milestone day for U.S. Soccer and for CONCACAF," U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said. "We gave careful consideration to the prospect of bidding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and ultimately feel strongly this is the right thing for our region and for our sport."
"Along with our partners from the Canadian Soccer Association and the Federacion Mexicana de Football, we are confident that we will submit an exemplary bid worthy of bringing the FIFA World Cup back to North America," he added.
In January, FIFA announced it would expand the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2026. According to Gulati, the US will host 60 games. All games from the quarterfinals will also be played in the United States. Mexico and Canada will split the remaining 20 games equally.
"I really thank Sunil's open mindedness and U.S. Soccer's open mindedness and Mexico's open mindedness," Canadian Soccer Association President Victor Montagliani said. "I think it's a testament to I think also how football has changed in our region."
The only other time multiple nations have hosted the World Cup was in 2002, when it was held in South Korea and Japan. Last time North America held a men's World Cup was in 1994, when it was hosted by the US. Mexico has hosted men's World Cups in 1986 and 1970, and Canada held the women's World Cup in 2015.
