U.S., Mexico and Canada Launch Joint Bid to Host 2026 World Cup

The U.S., Mexico, and Canada have launched a joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup.

Soccer officials from each country made the announcement with much fanfare from the observatory of One World Trade Center, which offered a clear view of the city under sunny skies on Monday.

Sunil Gulati, president of the United States Soccer Federation, said the announcement is the culmination of several years of talks. He said the three nations decided they could launch a stronger bid together.

"We don't believe that sport can solve all the issues of the world," he said. "But especially what's going on in the world today, we think this is a hugely positive signal and symbol of what we can do together in unifying people, especially in our three countries."

Gulati also said President Donald Trump is "fully supportive" of the bid, which still needs approval from FIFA. Under the current proposal, the U.S. would host the majority of the games, 60, with the other 20 split evenly between Mexico and Canada. Canada hosted the Women's World Cup in 2015.