MIAMI: The head of CONCACAF has taken issue with the latest controversial comments by President Donald Trump out of concern to defend the region’s bid to host the World Cup finals in 2026 writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Trump reportedly referred to El Salvador, Haiti and Africa as “shithole countries” in a discussion with lawmakers and advisers about the United States’ immigration regulations. His words provoked protests from the United Nations and a wide swathe of foreign leaders.

The incident prompted speculation about a negative effect on his co-hosting bid by the US, Canada and Mexico to win host rights to the 2026 World Cup in a vote at the annual congress of world football federation FIFA on June 13 im Moscow.

Morocco, which has just appointed the London firm Vero as PR adviser, is the only other bidder.

Victor Montagliani, the Canadian president of the central and north American confederation, responded to Trump’s comments om Twitter.

Unity insistence

He said: “In the footballing community we understand that diversity of experience and background provides strength to the team. The CONCACAF family stands alongside those in and from Haiti, El Salvador and around the world, in reminding that all are welcome on the field. #UNITY.”

The World Cup award system has been changed by FIFA since the scandal over the organisation and conduct of the 2018-2022 votes.

This time around a technical study group will submit a report on bidders to the FIFA Council which will then submit its own recommended bidders to congress. The votes of FIFA Council members and national associations will be open to public scrutiny for the first time.

Trump has denied that his comments were “racist”.

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