US President Donald Trump has threatened political repercussions for anyone wanting to vote for rival Morocco to host the World Cup in 2026.
In a tweet President Trump wrote: “The US has put together a strong bid with the Canada and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the US bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?”

The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 26, 2018

The vote to award the 2026 event takes place on 13 June in Moscow at football’s world governing body Fifa’s annual congress.
Canada, Mexico, USA and Morocco are blocked from voting given their bids. That leaves 207 eligible national associations, requiring a simple 104 vote majority.
Morocco is expected to secure most, if not all, of the support in Africa. The continent represents FIFA’s largest voting bloc with 54 votes, which is just over half of what’s needed to win hosting rights.