FIFA's Jerome Valcke Hints At Potential 2026 U.S. World Cup After 'Remarkable' Support

FIFA's leaders have "flagged up a possible American bid" for the 2026 World Cup after the "staggering" impact of the tournament in the U.S., according to the PA. The U.S. team departed from the World Cup on Tuesday "after a thrilling extra-time defeat" by Belgium in the first knockout round. The level of support in the U.S. "has been remarkable." FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke told Brazil newspaper Globo, "What we see in the United States is staggering. The audience is unprecedented, more than the NBA. ... There is a commitment from FIFA to work with U.S. Soccer and I think after 2022, they have an interest in hosting the 2026 World Cup." FIFA President Sepp Blatter "has been equally impressed by the American reaction." Blatter: "It's fantastic, the level of interest in the USA is very high." U.S. Soccer President and FIFA exec committee member Sunil Gulati previously said that the U.S. could bid for '26 "but only if bidding rules change" -- it lost out to Qatar for the '22 tournament (PA, 7/2).