Let the corruption begin...

"Support for the United States-led bid to host the 2026 World Cup is more divided than most predicted, with some estimates of voting totals having Morocco not just threatening the North American bid, but actually beating it, multiple high-ranking football executives within FIFA and the continental confederations told ESPN this week."

http://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/3400487/united-states-led-2026-world-cup-bid-in-jeopardy-to-morocco-sources

I saw that. Somehow I get the feeling that the fix is in. Of course that article brings up some good points, namely the exposure of powerful folks as greedy SOB's. They are wanting some semblance of a payback.

God...the fix sounds like it is already in. Morocco seriously? Does anyone really think any country would be better than a USA/Canada/Mexico joint bid?

That was how Blatter said in power, by giving every country an equal vote even if they have no clue what they are doing. Then promising the World Cup to African and Asian countries and bam!!! He has all the votes he needs to be in power for ever because not enough votes in Europe and North America to stop the African and Asian voting numbers.

Don't forget that 2026 will be the 1st with 48 teams involved (80 matches instead of 64) playing groups of 3 with the top 2 in each group advancing to the knockout rounds starting with 32 teams. So 16 teams only play 2 matches which kinda sucks with all the effort nations put into qualifying.

They also plan to play the tournament in the same 32 days as it has been so there will be less rest for the players.

Here is the league and you can scroll down to the current stadiums that Morocco has. 6 stadiums that fit 45k or more.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botola

Here are the current FIFA stadium requirements for capacity

Stadiums requirement

FIFA established minimum requirements for stadiums capacities.

• Matches Stadium capacities


• Opening match 80,000
• Remaining group stage matches 40,000
• Round of 32 40,000

• Round of 16 40,000

• Quarterfinals 40,000

• Semifinals 60,000

• Third place play-off 40,000

• Final 80,000

Also if this is really do to the anti-American sentiment that everyone says exists, I'd say let them continue to screw up smaller countries who try to cope with building all the infrastructure needed to host, especially with the tournament growing. Eventually they will catch on and in the meantime, I can still watch the games from a prime spot on my couch. If I recall, USA 1994 still holds the attendance records for a WC and was also up there in terms of financial income. They can't act like one hosted here now would be a failure.

C'mon football should always be played in the desert! Especially the World Cup! Let's keep giving it to countries with deplorable human rights, but America is sooooo bad. F-off FIFA.

Nah man. After pissing off almost every professional league with Winter World Cup 2022, we're going to do it again in 2026

wangus12 said:

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Don't forget that 2026 will be the 1st with 48 teams involved (80 matches instead of 64) playing groups of 3 with the top 2 in each group advancing to the knockout rounds starting with 32 teams. So 16 teams only play 2 matches which kinda sucks with all the effort nations put into qualifying.

They also plan to play the tournament in the same 32 days as it has been so there will be less rest for the players.

Here is the league and you can scroll down to the current stadiums that Morocco has. 6 stadiums that fit 45k or more.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botola

Here are the current FIFA stadium requirements for capacity

Stadiums requirement

FIFA established minimum requirements for stadiums capacities.

• Matches Stadium capacities
• Opening match 80,000
• Remaining group stage matches 40,000
• Round of 32 40,000

• Round of 16 40,000

• Quarterfinals 40,000

• Semifinals 60,000

• Third place play-off 40,000

• Final 80,000

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Actually players will have the same or more rest with new format.

Wonderful. The Donald has now decided to chime in on the 2026 bid. Technically he violated FIFA bylaws by engaging in politics with the bid by threatening countries not voting for the US.

FIFA has bylaws?

Basketball and Chain said:

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FIFA has bylaws?

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"FIFA Bylaws" by Sepp Blatter

1. Under no circumstances are bribes to be accepted. Football is a beautiful game that should not be tainted with corruption.

2. If the money on the table is high enough, forget bylaw #1

3. Any money on the table is enough to invoke bylaw #2

Go **** yourself, Sepp.