By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
March 19 – Colombia President Alvaro Uribe (pictured) has announced his country will bid to host the 2026 football World Cup after receiving encouragement from Jack Warner.
Warner, a member of FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee, claimed that it would be time for South America to host the tournament again after a 12-year absence following Brazil in 2014.
Uribe announced Colombia’s intentions to bid for the World Cup during the opening ceremony of the South American Games in the country’s capital Medellin, adding there were also plans to lure the Pan-American Games and the Youth Olympics.
“This nation aspires to be the future seat of the Pan-American [Games], the seat of the Youth Olympics, the seat of the world championship of football,” he said.
Colombia, the second largest country in South America behind Brazil with a population of more than 45 million, won the right to host the 1986 World Cup, but then-President Belisario Betancur withdrew citing lack of funds.
The 1986 event was instead hosted by Mexico and the tournament has not been held in Latin America since.
Warner recently visited Colombia and spoke highly of stadium renovations and other preparations for the 2011 Under-20 World Cup.
He said: ”In 2014, the World Cup will be in Brazil.
“Twelve years later the World Cup will once again be for South America.
“I think this will be a good start for Colombia in order to place a bid for the 2026 World Cup as they will have first class venues by then.”
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