United States Soccer Federation (USSF) president Sunil Gulati has said the "perceptions of America" are negatively impacting the country's joint bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking at a public event hosted by former U.S. international Alexi Lalas, Gulati voiced his belief that circumstances outside football and other external events have influenced the host bid, per ESPN.com's Jeff Carlisle:
"This is not only about our stadiums and our hotels and all that.
"It's about perceptions of America, and it's a difficult time in the world. So there's only certain things we can control.