FIFA slams ‘politically-charged’ tweet by Donald Trump about US World Cup bid

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The world governing body for football, FIFA, has slammed a politically-charged statement made by the United States President Donald Trump on Twitter about his country hosting the prestigious World Cup tournament in 2026.

FIFA responded to the US President’s tweet by referring to its ethics guidelines that warn against any political influence or pressure over a nation who has submitted a bid to host the World Cup.

In the first part of a tweet posted on April 26, Trump described the US’ joint proposal to host the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico as “a strong bid.” The second part of the tweet was directed at rival nations who have also submitted a bid.

“It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the US bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?”

The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 26, 2018

In a statement to Reuters, FIFA said: “As a general rule, we cannot comment on specific statements in connection with the bidding process. We can only refer to the FIFA Regulations for the selection of the venue for the final competition of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and in particular to the Bid Rules of Conduct incorporated therein.”

FIFA’s guidelines explicitly warn against government involvement in a country’s bid to host the tournament because it “may adversely affect the integrity of the Bidding Process and create an undue influence on the Bidding Process.”

Morocco is the only rival to the joint US-Canada-Mexico bid. The Morocco bid is expected to receive significant support from FIFA’s African and Middle East countries.

A FIFA Congress will meet in Moscow on June 13 to choose the hosts. FIFA member countries receive one vote each.

The US previously hosted the World Cup in 1994.