By Andrew Warshaw
November 10 – If newly elected US President Donald Trump carries out his threat to build a wall along the border with Mexico to keep out illegal immigrants, what impact, if any, would it have on the bid to the stage the 2026 World Cup?
With CONCACAF almost certain to be handed the tournament, the United States would be clear favourites to host for the first time since 1994 but would Mexico still be happy to share hosting rights?
The two countries, fierce rivals on the pitch, are due to play a World Cup qualifier on Friday and the subject of Trump’s shock election victory and what it might due to sporting relations could prove an interesting backdrop.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has stressed he is in favour of joint – or even multiple – bids but Trump’s outspoken views about Mexican immigrants may not go down too well with the Mexican football leadership who made it clear even before the Republican’s victory that they were quite prepared to host 2026 on their own.
The elephant in the room is Canada who would surely also be keen to play some part in a CONCACAF-run World Cup and the prospect of a North American bid taking on Mexico should not be ruled out.
Then there is the question of the US Justice Department-led probe into criminal activity carried out by a raft of FIFA officials. The ongoing corruption scandal shows little sign of receding but will the Trump regime, determined to “make America great again”, commit to the investigation with the same resources and bullishness as in the past 18 months – or try to slow down the whole process especially with some of those indicted due to stand trial over the next few weeks and months?
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