MOSCOW (AP) ��� The Latest on World Cup preparations and meetings of football leaders ahead of the tournament in Russia (all times local):
12:10 p.m.
More than 50 African voting federations are being urged to show unity as a continent and back Moroccos bid to host the 2026 World Cup.
El Hadji Diouf, the former Senegal and Liverpool forward, urged African football leaders to “hold hands” on Wednesday when Morocco competes with the North American bid.
Liberia, Namibia and Zimbabwe have pledged support in recent weeks for the joint United States-Canada-Mexico candidate. The North Americans have targeted voters in the southern African group known as COSAFA.
Confederation of African Football president Ahmad asked voters to “show cohesion within our continent.”
The Madagascar official says: “I think there is an obligation to remain within our family. But of course it is an individual choice.”
The Morocco and North American bid leaders are meeting voters from five of FIFAs six continental bodies on Monday. Europes UEFA meets in Moscow on Tuesday.
11:40 a.m.
Morocco football leader Fouzi Lekjaa says he doubts the financial promises made by the rival North American bid to host the 2026 World Cup.
Lekjaa told more than 50 African football federations that “there is lots of uncertainty” in the cash projections of the joint United States-Canada-Mexico bid which presented its plan on stage minutes earlier.
The North American bid predicts $14.3 billion in revenues for FIFA from the 48-team tournament. FIFAs evaluation panel noted that was “significantly higher” than Moroccos predicted income of $7.2 billion.
Lekjaa says in French: “That doesnt correspond either to historical facts or future extrapolation, its an exercise that goes beyond that.”
African countries have 53 of the 206 expected votes in Wednesdays ballot of FIFA member federations.
—
10:50 a.m.
Under investigation in Ghana for alleged corruption, FIFA Council member Kwesi Nyantakyi has resigned from the world soccer body.
Confederation of African Football president Ahmad says Nyantakyi also offered his resignation as first vice president of the continental body.
Ahmad tells more than 50 African football federations a special election meeting will be held Sept. 30 in Egypt for them to fill the vacancies.
Candidates will come from the English-speaking group in CAF, the president says.
A television documentary last week showed Nyantakyi taking $65,000 in cash from undercover reporters posing as businessmen to secure favor with Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo and other government officials.
FIFAs ethics committee suspended the Ghanaian official for 90 days during its investigation.
—
10:25 a.m.
Leaders of North American and Moroccan bids to host the 2026 World Cup are pitching their plans to FIFA voters.
Both candidates in Wednesdays vote are spending Monday on a busy tour of meetings with continental football bodies. FIFA president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Samoura are also attending.
More than 50 African football federations are hearing from the bidders at a Moscow hotel.
A few federations – including Liberia, Namibia and Zimbabwe – have pledged to support the joint United States-Canada-Mexico candidacy instead of their Confederation of African Football colleague Morocco.
Voters from North American regional body CONCACAF, Asia and Oceania also have their regional meetings Monday ahead of the election meeting Wednesday.
European football body UEFA hosts the candidates Tuesday morning in Moscow.
MOSCOW (AP) ��� The Latest on World Cup preparations and meetings of football leaders ahead of the tournament in Russia (all times local):
12:10 p.m.
More than 50 African voting federations are being urged to show unity as a continent and back Moroccos bid to host the 2026 World Cup.
El Hadji Diouf, the former Senegal and Liverpool forward, urged African football leaders to “hold hands” on Wednesday when Morocco competes with the North American bid.
Liberia, Namibia and Zimbabwe have pledged support in recent weeks for the joint United States-Canada-Mexico candidate. The North Americans have targeted voters in the southern African group known as COSAFA.
Confederation of African Football president Ahmad asked voters to “show cohesion within our continent.”
The Madagascar official says: “I think there is an obligation to remain within our family. But of course it is an individual choice.”
The Morocco and North American bid leaders are meeting voters from five of FIFAs six continental bodies on Monday. Europes UEFA meets in Moscow on Tuesday.
11:40 a.m.
Morocco football leader Fouzi Lekjaa says he doubts the financial promises made by the rival North American bid to host the 2026 World Cup.
Lekjaa told more than 50 African football federations that “there is lots of uncertainty” in the cash projections of the joint United States-Canada-Mexico bid which presented its plan on stage minutes earlier.
The North American bid predicts $14.3 billion in revenues for FIFA from the 48-team tournament. FIFAs evaluation panel noted that was “significantly higher” than Moroccos predicted income of $7.2 billion.
Lekjaa says in French: “That doesnt correspond either to historical facts or future extrapolation, its an exercise that goes beyond that.”
African countries have 53 of the 206 expected votes in Wednesdays ballot of FIFA member federations.
—
10:50 a.m.
Under investigation in Ghana for alleged corruption, FIFA Council member Kwesi Nyantakyi has resigned from the world soccer body.
Confederation of African Football president Ahmad says Nyantakyi also offered his resignation as first vice president of the continental body.
Ahmad tells more than 50 African football federations a special election meeting will be held Sept. 30 in Egypt for them to fill the vacancies.
Candidates will come from the English-speaking group in CAF, the president says.
A television documentary last week showed Nyantakyi taking $65,000 in cash from undercover reporters posing as businessmen to secure favor with Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo and other government officials.
FIFAs ethics committee suspended the Ghanaian official for 90 days during its investigation.
—
10:25 a.m.
Leaders of North American and Moroccan bids to host the 2026 World Cup are pitching their plans to FIFA voters.
Both candidates in Wednesdays vote are spending Monday on a busy tour of meetings with continental football bodies. FIFA president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Samoura are also attending.
More than 50 African football federations are hearing from the bidders at a Moscow hotel.
A few federations – including Liberia, Namibia and Zimbabwe – have pledged to support the joint United States-Canada-Mexico candidacy instead of their Confederation of African Football colleague Morocco.
Voters from North American regional body CONCACAF, Asia and Oceania also have their regional meetings Monday ahead of the election meeting Wednesday.
European football body UEFA hosts the candidates Tuesday morning in Moscow.
