USA 2026: The Politics Behind the World Cup Bid

Good morning and welcome to The Football Newsletter. It’s the morning of November 6th, the day after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and as readers open this newsletter, the result may still be hanging in the balance. Whether former president Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged victorious, one thing is certain: in 2026, the United States will host the men’s World Cup for the first time in over three decades, with North American neighbours Canada and Mexico by its side.

Given the timing, it’s only natural that we revisit the story of how the U.S. won the 2026 bid—especially given how much American politics influenced that journey. With a new—or returning—president about to take office, we’ll take you through the complex web of diplomacy, negotiation, and influence that led to the “United” bid’s success, despite a backdrop of divisive U.S. politics.

The Challenge of Navigating U.S. Politics

When the United bid launched in April 2017, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico faced an unexpected challenge: they were competing against Morocco to host the 2026 tournament. Morocco offered a singular, unified bid, while the U.S. was in the midst of an administration often criticised for its rhetoric and policies toward Mexico, as well as its stance on immigration and trade. These factors created significant hurdles for a “United” bid that aimed to unify North America’s soccer ambitions.