By Andrew Warshaw
June 8 – Having already seemingly lost out to their North American rivals to secure the votes of both South Africa and Liberia, 2026 World Cup underdogs Morocco have received a further blow to African unity with the news that Zimbabwe has also declared itself for United 2026.
Zimbabwe FA (ZIFA) president Philip Chiyangwa (pictured right) made the announcement following a visit by United co-chairs Steve Reed and Decio de Maria and other bid executives canvassing support ahead of next week’s ballot at the FIFA Congress in Russia.
Chiyangwa, who is also head of the 14-nation Council of Southern Africa Football Associations, will not travel to Russia as he continues to recover from eye treatment. Zimbabwe will be represented by ZIFA vice-president Omega Sibanda but support for the North American bid re-affirms the likelihood of a split in the African vote despite a call for unity by confederation leader Ahmad Ahmad who has thrown the continent’s support behind Morocco, which unsuccessfully bid for the 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2010 tournaments.
Chiyangwa said the decision to support the joint USA-Canada-Mexico bid was taken with his Government’s blessing, another clear indication – if ever it was needed – that politics will play a significant part in the poll despite the vote being open for the first time, and that Africa never votes as a bloc.
“We have obviously consulted with our Government. The Zimbabwe Government is warming to the United bid and that will inform our vote accordingly,” said Chiyangwa, a strong ally of FIFA president Gianni Infantino who is known to favour the North American bid.
“We had a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and, accordingly, I’m happy to say that the Zimbabwe Government is happy to support the United bid,” said Reed, head of the Canada Soccer Association who earlier this week was keen to point out along with his colleagues, at a media briefing in London, that the ballot should be about football rather than politics.
“We are very appreciative of the president (Chiyangwa), the minister and the Government of Zimbabwe for their support,” Reed was quoted as saying.
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