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Expect the US, Canada, Mexico Combined World Cup 2026 Bid on Monday

By Richard DeLaurell

Aug 23, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Practice balls sit on the pitch before the warm up as the Vancouver Whitecaps host the Sporting Kansas City FC at BC Place Stadium. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Practice balls sit on the pitch before the warm up as the Vancouver Whitecaps host the Sporting Kansas City FC at BC Place Stadium. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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CONCACAF Pres. Victor Montagliani tells the Guardian that combined US, Canada, Mexico bid for World Cup 2026 is under discussion; now expected for Monday.

In a report from the Guarddian earlier this week, new CONCACAF President, Victor Montagliani, gave more credibility to the discussions of a possible combined US, Canada and Mexico bid for FIFA’s World Cup 2026.

Montagliani said a final decision would be made late this year. However, ‘later’ now looks like it could be Monday (April 10).

What World Cup 2026 Might Mean For MLS

The 1994 World Cup was the last one held in any CONCACAF member nation.

If you’re as old as I am; No. 1, I’m sorry.  No. 2, you probably also recall Roberto Baggio’s missed PK in the final match that year:

You might also recall that the US World Cup was played on a lot of fields and in stadiums that weren’t really built for soccer.

Baggio’s miss, for example, came at the storied Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Similarly, group and knock-out stage matches were played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Soldier Field, Chicago, and Giants Stadium, in New Jersey, among others. While big games would still occur in some of these massive stadiums, they are now more prepared to host soccer matches from the pitch conditions to game day operations, after events like the ICC each summer.

MLS Full Circle Since 1994

Today FIFA would find a lot more comfortable accommodation in existing MLS venues, although many would have to increase capacity to be considered. And the tournament would be welcomed by the much larger and knowledgeable fan-base, in large thanks to the MLS.

One of FIFA’s requirements for the getting the 1994 tournament was that the USA develop a top-flight league. Thus giving us the MLS.

A combined bid is even more logical given that MLS and its soccer-specific venues are shared with Canada. Not to mention the Azteca in Mexico. Hosting the World Cup would no doubt help local clubs through general soccer excitement and investment in the lead up and post tournament impact.

The tournament would provide impetus to build larger venues for certain clubs. Those would be needed to accommodate the crowds that are drawn to international play, particularly the knock-out stages.

Mar 19, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; CenturyLink Field prior to the game between the Seattle Sounders and the New York Red Bulls. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; CenturyLink Field prior to the game between the Seattle Sounders and the New York Red Bulls. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /

More Host Nations Make Sense For An Expanded World Cup

Montagliani called such a 3 nation bid “a fit” in the Guardian interview.  FIFA has a new plan for future World Cup finals. The tournament will be expanded to 48 teams and 80 games in 2026. (Russia 2018 will be contested among 32 teams over 64 matches.)

An expanded field will allow for more automatic berths for host-nations.  So USMNT, Canada’s MNT and Mexico’s el tricolores, would all be exempt from qualifying rounds if the bid were accepted. That should make CONCACAF’s remaining spots quite interest during qualificiation that round.

Next: NWSL: US Soccer releases list of allocated players for the 2017 season

Stay tuned tomorrow, as the joint bid could be officially announced.

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