Donald Trump’s "shock victory" in the presidential race "may have jeopardised any prospect" of the U.S. teaming up with Mexico to "form an unstoppable joint bid for the 2026 World Cup," according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. Trump’s success over Hillary Clinton is "also a significant setback" for L.A.'s hopes of hosting the 2024 Olympic Games. In terms of the football tournament, the U.S. has been "considered the strongest contender" after FIFA ruled last month that it "would not accept bids from countries in Europe or Asia." That ruling put the U.S. into a "strong position" and, after FIFA President Gianni Infantino "made it clear" that he favors bids from more than one country for the tournament -- the World Cup "looks certain to be expanded" from 32 to 40 or even 48 teams -- the prospect "emerged of a powerful joint bid with Mexico, which would help to clinch the powerful Latin vote" among the 209 FIFA countries. A joint bid would mean the governments of both countries "co-operating closely and that now looks a remote possibility given the potential for clashes" between the U.S. and Mexico over trade, immigration and security. Michel D’Hooghe, the longest-serving member of FIFA’s council, organized the 2000 European Championship co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium and said that close co-operation between governments was "vital." He said, "You need the support of both governments for infrastructure and security otherwise you can never organize it" (LONDON TIMES, 11/10).
ADDED TENSION: In London, Becoats & Trecker reported tensions ahead of an "always charged" U.S. vs. Mexico football game this Friday have "suddenly been magnified by the election of Donald Trump as America’s 45th president." Trump "ran a scorched-earth campaign that openly denigrated immigrants and called for the mass deportation of Mexicans." His "incendiary rhetoric" could make for an "ugly backdrop to a rivalry that has already had its fair share of nasty incidents." American goalkeeper Tim Howard refused to answer questions on Wednesday before training, saying that "he wasn’t invested in politics and didn’t vote -- but added that if he had, it wouldn’t have been for Trump." Tensions between the two teams have "steadily risen over the years as both sides have clawed for supremacy in North America." Part of it is the "normal sporting tension seen in rivalries across the globe." But part of it is "a reflection of the fact that Mexico has long been the poorer cousin to the south" (GUARDIAN, 11/9).
