The World Cup is heading to North America in 2026.
The World Cup is heading to North America in 2026.

FFA backs move to award 2026 World Cup to USA-Canada-Mexico

THE US, Canada and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup, with their combined efforts knocking off the bid by Morocco to take the tournament back to Africa for the first time since 2010.

Football Federation Australia chairman Steven Lowy confirmed he had backed the ultimate winner and also said the new voting rules - implemented by FIFA after the controversy generated by Russia being awarded the 2018 tournament and Qatar the 2022 edition - had restored confidence in how such events were awarded.

Australia spent $50 million trying to win the 2022 event but received only a single vote.

"This process was a very stark contrast to the last process,'' Lowy said in Moscow.

"The bid books were made public, the technical process was very important, the voting was very transparent and that makes countries like Australia have much more confidence in making these bids.''

With Australia bidding to bring the 2023 Women's World Cup to Australia, Lowy said "we feel like Australia can really make a very compelling proposition for world football, not just for women's football''.

Lowy said although Morocco had made a good case, the joint effort of the three winning nations was too good to ignore.

"The united bid clearly came out in front in a technical analysis, much lower risk and a much better financial outcome for FIFA, which is in the interests of football around the world and that is what drove our decision,'' he said.

The united bid projected it would make a profit of $14 billion, twice what Morocco would have delivered.

The US, Canada and Mexico attracted 134 votes to Morocco's 65 to host the event, which will expand to 48 teams from the current 32.

Steven Lowy said Australia backed the North American bid.
Steven Lowy said Australia backed the North American bid.

US President Donald Trump tweeted following the confirmation of the win: "The U.S., together with Mexico and Canada, just got the World Cup. Congratulations - a great deal of hard work!"

President Trump has recently been warring with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and maintains a desire to build a wall along the US-Mexican border.

Lowy also said he believed Australia had a chance to qualify for the second round of the World Cup in Russia.

"A pass mark is to be here in the first place, but no doubt the team want to do really well,'' he said.

"It would be nice to get through to the round of 16 but it's incredibly hard.''