Historically, "securing the right to host a World Cup has been a long, arduous process," according to Sam Borden of ESPN.com. When it comes to the U.S.-led bid for the 2026 World Cup, however, "a result might come much sooner -- perhaps even by the end of this year." Lost amid the pageantry of Monday's "glossy announcement" of the bid by the U.S., Mexico and Canada was "any significant discussion about what steps the bid will take next." Multiple high-ranking officials said that CONCACAF is planning to make a proposal at May's FIFA Congress that "could accelerate the entire process," which would normally be expected to last until '20. In the proposal, the CONCACAF bid "will ask the world governing body's 211 members for a unique, noncompetitive window" -- for example, six months -- in which it would prepare a report that "showcases the technical specifications of its bid, covering everything from stadium capacities and infrastructure to hotels and transportation." If the bid "were to meet the required technical specifications set out by FIFA" -- which would "certainly be expected from countries that frequently host big sporting events" -- then it would "simply be awarded right then." If not, the traditional bidding process would begin (ESPN.com, 4/10).
MIXED FEELINGS IN MEXICO: ESPN.com's Tom Marshall reported the announcement that Mexico could become the first country in history to host games at a third World Cup led to "a collection of mixed emotions." It was expected in Mexico that Monday's news conference to make official the U.S., Canada and Mexico's bid for 2026 World Cup "would hand the lion's share of games" to the U.S. That was not "a surprise." But when U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati signaled that Mexico and Canada "would get only 10 games each of the tournament's 80," and that all matches from the quarterfinal stage forward would be played in the U.S., the reaction in Mexico "turned sour," even if Mexican Football Federation (FMF) President Decio de María suggested that the number is not "100 percent fixed." De María: "That is the number that has been put down, but there are still nine years to go." The first story on the front page of Mexican newspaper Récord's website read, "Mexico could get crumbs," while TV Azteca pundit Gerardo Velazquez "slammed the negotiating skills of the FMF." ESPN analyst José Ramón Fernández said, "The World Cup is in the United States." Liga MX club Santos Laguna President Alejandro Irarragorri "struck a more measured tone and suggested that the final split in venues might still be a point of negotiation." He said, "Ten games for Mexico, 10 for Canada and 60 for the United States has been talked about, but I believe that if you have the necessary elements and generate value to negotiate, it can be improved. There will be an opening for negotiations for the locations of this event, which I think without any doubt is better to have, than not have" (
ESPN.com, 4/11).
