FIFA awards 2026 World Cup to joint North American bid | VIDEO

In 2,920 days, give or take, the World Cup will kick off in the United States, Canada and Mexico. No artificial clouds necessary! If it seems a far way off, that’s because it is, but don’t let that dampen your excitement. Let the countdown begin.

The “United Bid” won the vote 134-65 over Morocco during a special congressional meeting where every single member nation of FIFA, excluding the four potential host countries, cast a ballot.

“Hosting a FIFA World Cup is an extraordinary honor and privilege,” Steven Reed, President of Canada Soccer, said in a statement.

“Canada, Mexico, and the United States are ready to welcome the world to North America and serve as stewards of the largest FIFA World Cup in history. Our vision is of a world of opportunity for our Candidate host cities and for the global football community.”

Mexico previously hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986. The United States staged the tournament in 1994. Canada has never held the competition, but it did host the 2015 Women’s World Cup.

Canada’s only appearance at the World Cup came in 1986 when it loss all three of its games and crashed out in the first round.

Wednesday’s vote offers hope that this could lead to an entirely new generation of Canadian youngsters taking up soccer, which could have long-term benefits for the men’s team, whose only World Cup appearance came in 1986 in Mexico.

Wednesday’s vote is also good news for the new Canadian Premier League that will launch next year.

This a milestone moment for soccer in this country. Having the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada will transform the way that Canadians perceive the global game and change the way the world sees Canada,” CPL commissioner David Clanachan said in a statement.