FIFA isn’t quite ready to award the 2026 World Cup to North America, but that outcome seems inevitable. At meetings in Bahrain, FIFA’s ruling council recommended allowing three more months for rival bids to come forward. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada effort had pushed for a fast-track decision this week.
Realistically, however, no other substantial bids are likely to enter the race. Europe and Asia are ineligible because Russia and Qatar will host the next two World Cups. Oceania (namely, New Zealand) isn’t in position for the expanded, 48-team competition. South America is focused on the 2030 tournament, which falls on the 100th anniversary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup.