FIFA 2026 World Cup Bidding Process Postponed Amid Corruption Investigation

FIFA has put on hold the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup amid ongoing allegations of corruption surrounding the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments to Russia and Qatar, respectively.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke confirmed the news Wednesday, per CBS Sports' Igor Mello. 

Planning for the eventual May 2017 vote on the 2026 World Cup was supposed to begin next week, per BBC News.

In a statement, FIFA confirmed that a discussion over rescheduling would be carried out at a later date:

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It was decided to place the administrative process on hold for the 2026 FIFA World Cup bidding due to the current situation.

Further decisions regarding the 2026 FIFA World Cup bidding process will be discussed by the FIFA Executive Committee at a later date.

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A recent slew of allegations over FIFA corruption has led to the potential that Russia and Qatar could have their tournaments taken away from them if wrongdoing in the bidding process is proved, per the Guardian's Owen Gibson.

Indeed, it is certainly not out of the question that a revote may be needed for one or both of the 2018 and the 2022 tournaments, the Daily Telegraph's Henry Winter noted.

It would certainly seem foolish to begin the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup when the prospects for the preceding two tournaments are in doubt.