FIFA Postpones 2026 WC Bidding Amid Corruption Scandal

FIFA Secretary General says it is “nonsense” to carry out a bidding process at this point.

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke (left) attends a press conference in St.Petersburg, Russia. (Photo: AP)

FIFA has suspended the 2026 World Cup bidding process amid a widening corruption scandal implicating previous bid contests.

Due to the situation, I think it’s nonsense to start any bidding process for the time being. It will be postponed.
– Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General

FIFA planned to write to its 209 member federations this week to explain the bidding timetable and rules. The 2026 host is expected to be chosen by the 209 members at their May 2017 meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Potential bidders include the United States, Mexico, Canada and countries from Europe.

Valcke spoke at a news conference with Russian organizers of the 2018 World Cup, and defended his role in alleged bribes paid by South Africa during the 2010 bidding contest.

The FBI are investigating bribery and corruption at FIFA, including scrutiny of how soccer’s governing body awarded hosting rights to Russia, which won the bidding for 2018, and Qatar, which is due to host the finals in 2022.

Valcke said there were no grounds to blame him or FIFA over the way the funds - central to the US bribery investigation against FIFA - were used. FIFA has also said he had no role in the payments.

I don’t have to justify myself. Except maybe from my father who is 80 years old and doesn’t understand what is going on around me. He is the only person I would still answer questions from about this.
– Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General

(With agency inputs)