Russia Backs Morocco’s 2026 World Cup Bid

The Russian football association has officially joined its voice to that of Russia, which promised to vote for Morocco in its bid to host the 2026 World Cup tournament.

The Russian support for Morocco’s 2026 World Cup bid was made at a recent press conference at Russia’s Embassy in Rabat by member of the Russian football association Pyutr Barkalov.

“Morocco has considerable assets that qualify it to stand as a rival of the joint bid of the US, Mexico and Canada,” he said, adding that Russia will vote for Morocco with whom it maintains close ties.

The Russian support bodes well for the Moroccan bid given Russia’s weight and influence at the international level.

Besides Russia, the bulk of the members of Africa’s football federation, France, Luxembourg, Serbia and most of Arab and Muslim countries are expected to vote for Morocco.

An FRMF delegation is currently touring Europe to promote Morocco’s candidacy to host the 2026 tournament.

In order to win, the North African nation will need to convince the 207 member associations in FIFA of its capabilities and advantages in the face of the joint North American bid.

Morocco is making its fifth bid to host the 2026 World Cup, the first edition to involve 48 teams and 80 games packed into 32 competition days.