North America win right to host 2026 World Cup

Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday June 13, 2018 13:47

 

FIFA delegates made the decision in Moscow, Russia on Wednesday, and the joint bid of Canada, Mexico and the United States prevailed over a luckless Morocco, which has failed in two other previous attempts.

Morocco was unsuccessful in 2006, 2010 and now 2018, and will need some serious soul searching going forward if they are to put in another bid.

Africa, Morocco's home continent, was split over backing the North Africans' bid, and it was evident before the votes were cast in Moscow that it was going to be an uphill task.

The FIFA congress attracted 210 members, including Botswana, with 134 votes going to the united bid, while Morocco received 65.

Seven members, including the four countries, Canada, Mexico, Morocco and the US, abstained  together with three US-governed territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the US Virgin Islands).

Up until casting his vote, BFA president, Maclean Letshwiti had not made his choice public.

Letshwiti was accompanied by BFA chief executive officer, Mfolo Mfolo and National Executive Committee member, Masego Nchingane.