MONROVIA, Liberia – Liberia is breaking ranks with Africa and will support the joint bid of USA, Mexico and Canada over Morocco’s bid to win the hosting rights of the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
According to Liberian Football Association president, Musa Bility, who is also a Confederation of African Football executive committee member, the decision was taken after due consultation with the country’s president, George Weah, who is also a former world footballer of the year.
The West African country’s age-long relationship with the North American continent was cited as a major reason behind the decision to break the norm of African support.
Bility further added that “Liberia, a football crazy nation will be bracing to see the World Cup in the United States as thousands of its citizens living in the country will have an opportunity to witness live World Cup matches from the giant stadiums in the US.”
Morocco, with their fifth World Cup bid, hopes to become the second African country after South Africa to host the World Cup.
The vote for the hosting rights of the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup will take place on June 13 in Moscow prior to the start of 2018 tournament.
Caf president Ahmad had previously expressed his hope that "most" African countries would vote for Morocco, stressing it was the continent's time to host the World Cup.
Another African country who may also vote against Morocco is South Africa after Sports Minister Tokozile Xasa pressured the nation's Football Association to switch their support.
MORE:
International politics could stop Safa from backing Morocco's World Cup bid