Its now official the FIFA World Cup 2026 bid to host the event will go the distance after both bids to host the 2026 World Cup – from Morocco and Canada-Mexico-United States – have been approved by FIFA’s  ‘bid evaluation task force’ to face off in the showdown to get the votes.

Morocco’s bid to host the 2026 World Cup was given approval by FIFA’s task force after “uncertain” moments that elicited hue and cry from Morocco and various stakeholders.It is the fifth time Morocco are bidding to host the FIFA World Cup and this will be decided by the 207 votes during FIFA congress in Moscow.

Some pundits had and FIFA insiders had alluded that the  American-led United bid had been considered the hot favourite, thanks to its near guarantee of commercial success,But Morocco  gained ground and, after seemingly convincing FIFA its bid is viable, the race now looks too close to call.

The five-strong task force includes the chairmen of FIFA’s audit and governance committees as well as former Croatia and AC Milan star Zvonimir Boban.

Boban is now FIFA’s deputy general secretary – and he visited both bids to check on proposed venues, meet the bidding committees and clarify technical details.

The final choice, assuming both bids are now signed off by the FIFA Council, will be made by all of the member associations at the pre-World Cup Congress in Moscow on June 13.