MEXICO CITY, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Wednesday congratulated FIFA for choosing Canada, the U.S. and Mexico to jointly host the 2026 World Cup, saying that the football world knows North America is deeply united.
In a video posted on Twitter, Pena Nieto called the news coming out of Moscow "magnificent," and highlighted that Mexico will become the first country to host three World Cups after 1970 and 1986.
"Football knows Canada, the United States and Mexico are deeply united. Congratulations on being the joint hosts of the 2026 World Cup," said the Mexican president.
The World Cup will return to North America after 134 FIFA members voted in favor of the joint bid, against just 65 votes for Morocco.
The three North American countries will also see an expanded roster, with 48 teams taking part across 80 matches.
"The decision by FIFA is a recognition of all three countries and, of course, a vote of confidence in the capacity of organization, the quality of infrastructure and the services Mexico offers," said Pena Nieto.
The U.S. has also hosted the World Cup once in 1994.
In the near future, FIFA will choose the 16 cities that will host World Cup matches from a list of 23 options presented by the three countries.
This decision was taken a day before the start of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
