Football
KweséESPN Reporter 6y

Africa must consider joint-World Cup bids, says ex-Kenya FA chief

Sam Nyameya, the former president of the Kenyan football federation believes that African nations should consider joint World Cup bids in future if they're to bring the tournament back to the continent.

Morocco missed out on the chance to host the 2026 tournament after being outbid by a joint bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico at the FIFA congress on Wednesday, as Africa's wait for a second World Cup continues.

The North African nation were defeated 134 votes to 65, and even failed to consolidate the African vote, leaving Nyameya convinced that the right bid won.

"It is unfortunate that Morocco was representing a bid for Africa but their loss should also be a learning experience," the former Kenyan FA chief said in a statement, as per Goal.

"Africa should in future present a joint bid and prove they are ready to meet the required standards," he added.

A joint African bid has been mooted in the past, with Tunisia and Libya's joint bid to host the 2010 World Cup rejected by then-FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

"Personally, if I were to be among the voters, I would have voted for the joint bid of the North American nations because of their infrastructure," Nyamweya continued.

"USA, Mexico and Canada have proved they were worthy candidates and deserving winners to win the hosting rights for the championships due to the kind of infrastructure they have in place," he concluded.

"FIFA will not have a difficult time having to monitor preparations for the 2026 competition."

Kenya's football federation, currently under the presidency of Nick Mwendwa, placed their backing behind Morocco in Wednesday's voting.

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