Organizers of the bid to bring soccer’s World Cup to North America in 2026 offered two eye-catching sweeteners to voters on Tuesday: a promise of a record $11 billion profit for FIFA and a written pledge from the United States government that it would grant visas to visitors without regard to religion or national origin. The Trump administration, through an executive order, has sought to block visitors to the United States from a handful of countries, including five Muslim-majority nations. A decision is expected by the end of June, the same month FIFA’s member associations will vote on the 2026 host. The United States is bidding in a partnership with Mexico and Canada against Morocco’s solo bid. FIFA will pick a winner at its congress in Moscow on June 13, one day before the opening match of the World Cup in Russia.

Source: New York Times May 09, 2018 00:00 UTC