FIFA postpones decision on 2026 World Cup cities due to coronavirus

The International Football Federation (FIFA), because of the coronavirus pandemic, postponed the final decision on the choice of venues for the matches of the World Cup 2026, Reuters reported.

Colin Smith, head of the FIFA competition and event department, said that it was originally planned to complete the entire process by the spring of 2021, but this was based on the fact that the process would begin in March and two inspection visits would be made by the end of 2020.

“Obviously, we will have to postpone it now. It is very difficult to name the final date, since it is not known when it will all begin. It is not yet clear when we will be able to arrive and conduct inspection visits. I would say that in the third quarter, beginning of the fourth, our presentation the schedule of visits will be better and the time it will take to make a choice will be more clear, “Smith said.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico. FIFA will select up to 16 venues from 23 options.