Montreal withdraws host bid for World Cup 2026, opening up market for US cities
July 7 – Montreal has withdrawn its bid to be a host city of the 2026 World Cup, leaving Edmonton and Toronto as the only two Canadian applicants.
World Cup
City of the future’ tag gives Houston 2026 bid a boost
June 26 – Houston’s bid to be one of the US cities selected to host the 2026 World Cup was given a boost last week after it was named in the top 10 ‘Americas Cities of the Future’.
Qatar to order 1m vaccines for fans at 2022 World Cup
June 21 – Qatar will only allow those fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to attend next year’s World Cup.
Norwegians vote not to boycott Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers
June 21 – Norway will not boycott the 2022 World Cup in Qatar following a vote at an extraordinary meeting of Norway’s Football Federation (NFF) that dismissed the move with a strong majority, despite strong pressure from the grassroots levels over alleged human rights abuses of migrant workers in the Gulf state.
Canada keep developing, Panama and El Salvador join them in Concacaf final 8
June 26 – Canada’s journey back towards Concacaf competitiveness continued with 3-0 home win over Haiti (4-0 on aggregate), taking them to the final round of World Cup Qualifying for the first time since France 98.
Concacaf 2022 qualifying: Canada, Panama and El Salvador have edge
June 14 – The knockout play off series to decide the final three slots in the eight team Concacaf final round of 2022 World Cup qualifying began at the weekend with opening advantages being gained by Canada, Panama and El Salvador.
Son Heung-min penalty secures South Korea spot in final round of Qatar 2022 qualifying
June 14 – South Korea cemented their place in the last 12 of Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying in Asia with a 2-1 win over challengers Lebanon.
Houston keeps itself in World Cup 2026 hosting picture with giant airport mural
June 11 –Houston, which is preparing to host Concacaf Gold Cup matches next month, is looking further ahead with its bid to be one of the final 10 host cities in the US for the 2026 World Cup.
Baltimore-Maryland bid ties in with Football for Peace as it pitches for piece of 2026 action
June 10 – Baltimore-Maryland’s 2026 World Cup host bid has been bolstered by the signing of a partnership agreement with the Football for Peace Foundation (FFP), with the aim of creating new youth and community development programmes across Maryland through international cultural exchange initiatives.
Support for Edmonton 2026 World Cup hosting gathers pace
June 9– Edmonton in Canada, one of the candidate venues for the country’s three World Cup 2026hosting slots, is reporting a significant uptick in support for the event in the city.
All to play for in Concacaf with 5 slots still open as Qatar 2022 first round qualifiers close
June 8 – The first round of Concacaf qualification for the Qatar 2022 World Cup reaches its final stage of group games tonight with five of the six groups going down to the wire.
Spain and Portugal to make powerful 2030 World Cup bid statement prior to 100yr anniversary match
By Paul Nicholson
June 4 – The bid by Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup will get an official stamp tonight before a friendly match between the two countries at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid.
IFAB extends 5 subs rule to cover Qatar 2022 World Cup finals
June 1 – World Cup participants in 2022 will be allowed to use five substitutes per match after football’s rule-making body IFAB extended the right until the end of next year.
Nordic members tell FIFA Congress more must be done on Qatar workers’ rights
May 24 – The Nordic membership of FIFA has stepped up pressure on the world governing body to improve workers’ rights in Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts.
Baltimore-Maryland makes its case for World Cup 2026 hosting
By Paul Nicholson
May 14 – With FIFA’s World Cup 2026 venue inspection team in full flow in terms of briefing, meeting and assessing potential city hosts, Baltimore on the East coast is one of 17 city hopefuls jostling for a final 10 host slot.