Blatter backs Morocco bid for 2026 World Cup

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Thursday endorsed Morocco’s bid to host the 2026 World Cup over the joint bid from the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Blatter, who is banned from any role in global football for financial misconduct, issued support for the event to return to Africa, after he pushed for South Africa to host in 2010.

Referencing the joint bid from the North American countries, Blatter tweeted: “World Cup 2026: Co-Hosting rejected by FIFA after 2002 (also applied in 2010 and 2018). And now: Morocco would be the logical host! And it is time for Africa again!”

South Korea and Japan co-hosted the event in 2002, the only time the World Cup has been staged in more than one country. The North American plan calls for 60 of the 80 games to be played in the U.S., with 10 each in Canada and Mexico.

In 2010, Nigeria wanted to co-host with nearby Benin, Ghana and Togo, but Blatter said at the time that FIFA would not consider any future co-hosts except in “exceptional circumstances.” Another joint bid from Tunisia and Libya also was eventually withdrawn from consideration.

The 2018 World Cup saw the FIFA executive committee vote against joint bids from Belgium and Netherlands as well as Spain and Portugal, before deciding on Russia.

The 2026 decision will be made by all of FIFA’s 211 member associations before this summer’s World Cup at the annual congress in Moscow on June 13.