Morocco will complete "many of the plans in its 2026 World Cup bid" even if it does not host the tournament, according to Samindra Kunti of the BBC. The Moroccan bid is up against a joint bid from the U.S., Mexico and Canada, with FIFA's members scheduled to vote on June 13. Morocco 2026 Bid CEO Hicham El Amrani insisted the committee's plans will "carry on" even if it loses the vote. He said, "We'll carry on the projects because it is for the good of our country and continent, not only to host the World Cup. We are interested in one thing -- winning, but even if we don't win and we lose with fair play and that will be fine." Among the Moroccan infrastructure plans are the modernization and building of motorways, new high speed trains and an increase in airport capacity. The North African nation will also use 14 stadia for the tournament, five of which will be renovated existing structures (BBC, 5/11).
OBJECTION OVERRULED: The GHANA GUARDIAN reported FIFA maintains that aside from the bidders, there will be "no eligible national association excluded from casting a vote" in the upcoming election to select the 2026 World Cup host. Morocco questioned whether four U.S. territories -- American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands -- would be "conflicted in the vote." The four are considered separate football nations by FIFA so each has a vote. According to FIFA regulations, it is "up to the delegates of such territories to declare if they feel conflicted in the vote." The governing body said in a statement, "FIFA's member associations are entitled to participate and vote in the FIFA Congress" (GHANA GUARDIAN, 5/12).
