April 3 – The first signs that CONCACAF may not vote as a bloc in favour of the three-nation US-Canada-mexico 2026 World Cup bid have emerged after St Lucia became the first country in the region to announce publicly that it would be backing underdogs Morocco.
St Lucia’s minister of Development and Sports Edmund Estephane made the announcement last week, adding his voice to those of a number of European and Asian federations who say they will rally behind the north African nation which is bidding for the fifth time to host.
“My country’s government will be strong and will back Morocco’s bid 200 percent, which will do justice and honour the African continent and the Caribbean countries,” said Estephane, following a meeting with Morocco’s ambassador to Saint Lucia.
Estaphane pointed out that Morocco has been providing valuable assistance in the field of urban planning and though it may well be he was simply saying the right thing at the right time, Morocco believes it is gaining momentum in the build-up to the vote on June 13.
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