Dominica was among 134 FIFA participating countries which voted in favor of a combined bid by the United States, Mexico, and Canada for the hosting of the 2026 World Cup, the world’s biggest event in football.
The bid by North America defeated its only challenger, Morocco, by a vote of 134-65.
Voting took place on Wednesday in Moscow.
It is reported that the North American bid won on a pledge of record crowds, record revenues and a record $11 billion in profits for FIFA, the world’s soccer governing body.
“Football is the only victor. We are all united in football,” US Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro said after the vote. “Thank you so, so much for this incredible honor. Thank you for entrusting us with this privilege.”
The World Cup in 2026 will be the first in North America since the United States hosted in 1994.
Earlier this year Foreign Affairs Minister Francine Baron created some level of controversy when she said Dominica was supporting the bid by Morocco to host the competition although FIFA rules prohibit political interference in national football associations.
“On behalf of Dominica, I am pleased to announce the support of my country for Morocco in the organization of the 2026 World Cup,” Baron said after meeting with a Moroccan diplomat.
There was no similar announcement endorsing Morocco from the Dominica Football Association, the local football governing body and the only legitimate association to vote in the matter.
We should have voted Morocco.
And why should we have voted for Morocco instead? To apolgiize for taking their king’s money for a sinking, unfinished hotel in Portsmouth ,getting free fertilizer and singing away the right of self-determination of our brothers and sisters in the Western Sahara?
With this action, Dominica has nothing to loose. It was either the repair of an old run down hotel and fertilizer or thousands of dollars in grants or aids from FIFA.
I wonder if the deals made for that bid with the Moroccans still stands? Dominica has too much in it for a small, unknown speck on the map; always embroil in some strange, covert controversy. I tell you if it wasn’t for Q95 radio; Dominicans would have been sold without their knowing and who knows if that has not yet happened with all the secret MOU signed about which Dominicans seems uninterested.
Way to go guys you have proved to this band of DLP rogues and zealots that the independence of sports is far more important and respectful than their support for blood money.
Dear DNO, can you please show me where in the article it suggests that Dominica supported USA, Canada and Mexico ?
this is very dangerous reporting….
the ballot was done by secret ballot.
and it is not common practice for the country to announce who it supported.
secondly any such info would have to come from the person casting the vote.
in that case the DFA president glen ettiene.
did you contact him ?
the story makes no mention of this…..
plz be reminded that public pronouncements like this can have negative impacts on the football association.
ADMIN: Your statement is incorrect, the information is made public on Fifa’s website. You can view the results and which bid each country supported here: https://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/voting-results-for-the-2026-fifa-world-cup.pdf?cloudid=vpnl19m2xr8zk50mnor3
Ray, it is not the Dominican government that decides, which candidate to support. It is entirely the prerogative of the country’s fifa association. I think the government was very presumptious and tried to score brownie points on behalf of their friends in Morocco. Nothing against the people of Morocco but that was a silly move and now our own Dominica Football Assosiation has confirmed that.
Foreign relations Makaqui. incompetence and insensitivity at its best.
The foreign affairs Minister did what the Skerritt’s DLP Govt. wanted her to do and she did just that. Would Francine make such a statement, the world heard, and DLP Cabinet, the ruling Gov’t don’t know?
Dominicans do not know what kind of links are going between DA, Morocco and its KING, a country which has occupied the lands of the struggling people of Western Sahara. The cannot-finish-Morocco-hotel? The fertilizer made of the potash that is being grabbed from the Saharawi lands? Undercover secret deals?
Would the Moroccan Govt./King want his name sullied like that re. an unfinished hotel in DA? Morocco/king have more than enough $$$$$$$$$$ to finish that hotel.
So the Foreign Minister had to publicly express support for Morocco, in its bid for WC 2026. Dominicans, Diaspora, are you on?
Afraid of the repercussions, the Cabal has made a complete turn around, just for the record.
Matt, the Media politician, Hope this answers the question you asked on your q95 talk show Wednesday morning.
You asked the question in a sacastic way believing you had it all right to begin your campaign on the government. But…..
Hope this article answers your question.
You are a real a$$..wasn’t the question asked by Matt this morning on his show a fair question based on the controversy that accompanied the foreign minister’s declaration? It’s it time to face the face the DLP gov’t is making too much silly mistakes and some people are getting tried of it…..It is these carelessness that is giving the country a bad name; while avid supports wants to crucify Lennox for telling the world about the mismanagement that is so blatantly and acceptably occurring in Dominica.
LOL, Dominica Foorball Association crook Francine Baron. At least you guys have some balls..
Of course, obviously Francine Baron has no balls. Perhaps she has other attributes?