Fifa build wall for Morocco 2026 bid
You can already smell it, just beyond the final in Kiev, the 2018 World Cup. These are the days of squads being announced, of training camps, of containing excitement. In Spain's case, we can still hear the echoes of the farewells from their clubs to Torres and Iniesta, the authors of the two goals that changed the rhythm of our football, and we are aware of what Madrid has to do in Kiev. But the rest of the world is already thinking about the World Cup in Russia. Even here, the first decision of new RFEF president, Luis Rubiales, was to extend Lopetegui's contract, which he did. A message of a long-term vision, of confidence in a coach, one who is doing well. There is no objection.
Russia, Qatar and then...Morocco?
Before the World Cup begins, as well as what happening in Kiev, there will be another notable act: the designation of the venue for the 2026 World Cup. After Russia will be Qatar. And after Qatar? Morocco has submitted its candidacy, which I look at with sympathy, and not only because of the proximity. Also because it is time for a World Cup to fall to the region of the Earth that takes third place in football, behind Europe and South America. Faced with the aspiration of Morocco stands a joint United States-Canada-Mexico bid, which still amazes in a time when the American president intends to build a wall between himself and his neighbour to the south.
Shady Fifa favouring USA bid?
And yet, there are disturbing signs that go against the Moroccan candidacy. Only one day before the deadline for the evaluation of bids, the conditions were changed, in a disgraceful manoeuver that hindered the Moroccan ambitions, in favour of the American-linked candidacy. Five 'men in black', with the full backing of Infantino, will decide before the vote, set for June 13, the day of the FIFA conclave, if Morocco passes through that artificial filter that was created so late. It sounds like a shameful move to avoid a vote of 211 federations in which Morocco would have an advantage.