US, Canada and Mexico make historic joint bid for 2026 FIFA World Cup
The US, Canada and Mexico have declared their intention to submit a historic unified bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The proposal, if accepted, would represent the first time that three nations have together hosted a FIFA competition.
The countries, which are all members of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), have hosted 13 FIFA events between them, including the Men’s, Women’s and Youth World Cups and Confederations Cup – more than any other trio of geographically connected nations.
US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati, Canadian Soccer Association president Victor Montagliani, and Federación Mexicana de Fútbol president Decio de Maria announced their intentions at a press conference held yesterday (10 April) in New York.
"This is a milestone day for U.S. Soccer and for CONCACAF,” said Gulati. “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 Federación Mexicana de Fútbol, we are confident that we will submit an exemplary bid worthy of bringing the FIFA World Cup back to North America.
“The US, Mexico and Canada have individually demonstrated their exceptional abilities to host world-class events. When our nations come together as one, as we will for 2026, there is no question we will deliver an experience that will celebrate the game and serve players, supporters and partners alike.”
Mexico was the first nation to host the FIFA World Cup twice, having first held the event in 1970 and then again in 1986, when Diego Maradona’s Argentine stormed to victory. De Maria said hosting the tournament a third time would be “a unique opportunity.”
“We are filled with pride [about this bid] and committed to make it the best ever,” he said. “Mexico has been recognised for being a magnificent host of past FIFA events, such as the two World Cups, the 1999 Confederations Cup, the 2011 Under-17 World Cup, and most recently the 2016 FIFA Congress. If we are selected to host, it will be an honour to welcome everyone with open arms.”
Montagliani, who is also president of CONCACAF, added: “Canada is the only remaining G-8 nation to have not hosted a FIFA World Cup despite our history of success in raising the bar for youth and women's FIFA tournaments.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first with the expanded 48-team format and will comprise a total of 80 games. The bid proposes that 60 to be held in the US, including the final, and an additional 10 each will take place in Canada and Mexico.
The US hosted the tournament in 1994, which was the most successful in history for overall attendance.
FIFA will vote on the host of the 2026 tournament in three years time, significantly later than originally scheduled due to the furore that still exists following the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar – bids which have been mired in corruption allegations.
European and Asian countries are unable to bid for the 2026 World Cup due to a rotation policy that excludes the previous two host confederations.
South Korea and Japan became the first nations to co-host a World Cup in 2002.
World Cup football FIFA soccer United States Mexico Canada CONCACAFWellness real estate market booming – forecast to reach $913bn by 2028, reports GWI
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
The Isola delle Rose has a rich history and an enviable location. Matteo Thun knew he had to capitalise on both with the design of the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa