A combined “United” bid from the United States, Canada, and Mexico has won the right to stage the biggest World Cup ever held – with 48 teams playing 80 matches over 34 days. The United bid won with 67 percent of the vote. An optimistic promise of delivering $14 billion in revenue helped sway voters, along with the lack of major construction work required on 
the 16 planned stadiums, all of which already exist.

The U.S. proposed staging 60 out of the 80 games in 2026, when 16 teams will be added to the finals, leaving Canada and Mexico with ten fixtures each. The U.S. is set to host all games from the quarterfinals onward. By contrast, a potential bid from Morocco appeared too hazardous when all 14 venues had to be built or renovated as part of a $16 billion investment in new infrastructure. The vote leaves Morocco reeling from a fifth failure in a World Cup hosting vote, with the continent’s sole tournament coming in 2010 in South Africa.

 
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