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FIFA approves plan to fast-track 2026 World Cup host bidding process

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ESPN's Sam Borden chats with U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati about the U.S.-led 2026 World Cup bid.

MANAMA, Bahrain -- FIFA's full membership voted to approve a plan to fast-track the 2026 World Cup host bidding process on Thursday, as part of a FIFA Congress that also included a vow from president Gianni Infantino to examine the transfer system as well as an awkward debate involving the federations of Israel and Palestine.

Ninety-three percent of the 209 voting members of the Congress approved the 2026 plan, setting the United States-led North American bid on course to officially land the hosting rights as early as next June.