De Maria also indicated that the idea of Mexico co-hosting in a 2026 bid, together with the United States and also possibly Canada, had been viewed positively by his executive committee.

He said: “I don’t know (whether we would pursue a joint bid) but the rules are already open to it. What was agreed upon makes the path perfectly clear. Mexico will be in the hunt to host the 2026 World Cup.”

The prospect of the 2026 World Cup being hosted in the Americas grew ever more likely two weeks ago after a virtual invitation to bid from world governing body FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino. FIFA has also scrapped its previous opposition to cohosting, particulaly with an expansion to 40 or 48 teams in the offing for 2026.

In May, it was revealed that football officials from the US and Mexico had held talks about lodging a possible joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup, along with pursuing solo bids. Canada has also been linked with an interest in 2026 after its successful hosting last year of the Women’s World Cup.

Mexico hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cups, while the US staged the 1994 event. Fifa has also said that co-hosting the 2026 World Cup will be permitted, not limited to a specific number, but evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

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