FIFA yesterday "began laying the groundwork" for the '26 World Cup, "announcing a bidding process in which it would decide on a possible expansion of the field by this fall and select the host country for the event" in May '20, according to Andrew Das of the N.Y. TIMES. The process that was unveiled yesterday at FIFA's congress in Mexico City will "unfold in four phases." The first will "be a so-called strategy and consultation period in which FIFA will consider a possible expansion of the World Cup field; a review of the organization's stance on joint bids by multiple countries; and the introduction of human rights and environmental and sustainability requirements for bidders." The U.S. is "expected to eagerly bid" for the '26 tournament. Under FIFA's current continental rotation system, the '26 host "most likely would come from CONCACAF." Mexico and Canada have also said that they "plan to bid" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/11). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Joshua Robinson noted the door "could swing open for an ambitious bid from China if FIFA does away with its restriction on a single confederation hosting two World Cups in a row" (WSJ.com, 5/10).
