Russian deputy PM welcomes decision to hold 2026 FIFA WC in US, Canada, Mexico

Moscow    :  Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko praised the FIFA Congress decision to award the right to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the US, Canada and Mexico, as it will be very difficult for one country to organise a tournament involving 48 teams.

The joint bid of the US, Canada and Mexico received 134 votes at the FIFA Congress held in Moscow on Wednesday, while Morocco's bid got only 65, reports Tass news agency.

"It was a reasonable decision to grant the right to host a tournament involving that many teams to economically developed countries that have good potential," Mutko who is also Chairman of the Government Coordinating Board for the 2018 World Cup, said.

"One should take note that 48 teams will participate in the World Cup, it is a great number, so now it will be very difficult for any country to host this tournament alone. We made 64 bases ready for 32 teams, so imagine that the number will have to be doubled," he said.

"We should keep in mind what kind of countries they are. They are located on the same continent - in North America - so it will be easier for them to arrange everything. As for arranging capacity, economic and other facilities, the United States, Canada and Mexico deserve to host the tournament," the Russian deputy prime minister concluded.