Chairman Gulati Replaced By 3 Federation Presidents to Lead 2026 World Cup Bid

The presidents of the USA, Mexico and Canada federations have become co-chairmen of the bid to host the 2026 World Cup, replacing Sunil Gulati.

CHICAGO (AP) – Organizers of the North American bid to host the 2026 World Cup have reconfigured their leadership group after the election of new U.S. Soccer Federation president.

New USSF President Carlos Cordeiro, Mexican Football Federation President Decio de Maria and Canadian Soccer Association President Steven Reed have become co-chairmen of the bid, Cordeiro said Tuesday.

Sunil Gulati, who had been the sole chairman, will remain a member of the bid committee's board. Gulati served as USSF president for 12 years but decided after the U.S. failed to qualify for this year's World Cup that he would not seek a fourth four-year term.

As we move from bid to campaign mode, appropriate for @CanadaSoccerEN, @ussoccer and @miseleccionmx Presidents to take lead. Looking forward to working with the 3 co-chairs and supporting the process. We are as unified as ever to bring 2026 FIFA World Cup to North America.

— Sunil Gulati (@sunilgulati) March 6, 2018

Report: Anti-U.S. Sentiment Could Put USA’s Joint 2026 World Cup Bid in Danger

Morocco is the only other candidate to host the expanded 48-nation tournament in 2026. FIFA's members are scheduled to vote June 13, the first time the entire membership is choosing a host since 1966, when sites were picked for 1974, 1978 and 1982. The hosts from 1986-2022 were chosen by the roughly two dozen members of the FIFA executive committee.