GENEVA -- With the United States, Canada and Mexico widely expected to bid jointly for the 2026 World Cup, the region's FIFA vice president believes all three should automatically enter the tournament if chosen as co-hosts.
Victor Montagliani told The Associated Press in an interview at FIFA that it should be a decision for continental soccer bodies, like the CONCACAF he leads, how to allocate their quota of World Cup entries.
"I don't think we should be dictating how a confederation allocates their slots from a hosting standpoint. That's up to them,'' Montagliani said.
It is unclear whether FIFA would guarantee direct entry to multiple hosts, though FIFA President Gianni Infantino has encouraged multi-nation bids for an expanded 48-team World Cup from 2026.