United bid organizers said that FIFA stands to earn more than £8B ($10.8B) profit "from the 2026 World Cup being staged in North America rather than Morocco," according to Jack Austin of the London INDEPENDENT. The joint bid by the U.S., Canada and Mexico to host the tournament is projected to create $14B in revenue, with U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro claiming it would be "the most successful World Cup ever." However, its challenger to the tournament, Morocco, has received "significant backing in recent weeks" and submitted a 193-page document to FIFA in March detailing why it should host (INDEPENDENT, 5/8).
'WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION': The AP's Rob Harris reported the Trump administration "guaranteed to FIFA there will be no discrimination around entry" to the U.S. at a potential North American World Cup in '26. The bid has "faced questions about the impact of attempts" by President Trump to "implement a ban on travel to the U.S. by residents of six majority-Muslim countries." A letter from the U.S. government to FIFA said, "All eligible athletes, officials and fans from all countries around the world would be able to enter the United States without discrimination" (AP, 5/8).
RUSSIA FINED: REUTERS' Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber reported World Cup host Russia was fined 30,000 Swiss francs ($30,000) for discriminatory chants by fans, FIFA said on Tuesday, "after racist abuse was directed at French players during a friendly" in St. Petersburg in March. A Reuters photographer at pitch level for France’s 3-1 win over Russia "heard monkey chants directed at French players on several occasions," including when midfielder N’Golo Kanté came to the touchline for a throw-in. FIFA said that it recognized the "gravity of the incident" but added that "only a limited number of fans were involved" (REUTERS, 5/8).
RWANDA APPEAL: The BBC's Andrew Jackson Oryada reported the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) filed an appeal with FIFA over an order to pay former coach Johnny McKinstry a total of $193,992 "for unlawful dismissal." FIFA ruled in the Northern Irishman's favor after he was sacked in June '16. FERWAFA feels that the original ruling was too "harsh" (BBC, 5/8).
