The USA, Mexico and Canada are making a joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup.
It will be the first competition to be expanded to 48 teams from the current 32 team format that will be in place for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
The bidding process for the 2026 competition has been delayed until 2020 because of ongoing corruption investigations surrounding FIFA.
It's official! USA, Canada and Mexico declare intention to submit unified bid to host 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Details: https://t.co/Ua6lVOMXl6 pic.twitter.com/ye10ll5ypR
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) April 10, 2017
The presidents of the US, Mexican and Canadian football federations announced the historic bid which will be the first in which three countries co-host a World Cup.
The only World Cup that has been co-hosted to date was the 2002 World Cup when South Korea and Japan teamed up.
USA and Mexico have previously hosted the tournament separately, with the US doing so in 1994 and Mexico staging 1970 and 1986.
Canada-USA-Mexico historic unified bid represents the 1st time that 3 nations would jointly host a FIFA competition
#2026🇨🇦🇺🇸🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/nbqU7axNfo
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) April 10, 2017
"This is a milestone day for U.S. Soccer and for CONCACAF," said U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil 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.
¡Vamos juntos por la fiesta del futbol! pic.twitter.com/kC4j0sCRSj
— Selección Nacional (@miseleccionmx) April 10, 2017
"The United States, 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 the United States, Mexico and Canada will deliver an experience that will celebrate the game and serve players, supporters and partners alike."
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