FIFA President Gianni Infantino is looking forward to a sensational festival of football in 2026 during the FIFA World Cup.

“I think this part of the world doesn’t realise what will happen here in 2026,” Mr Infantino said to gathered media. “These three countries will be upside down and then flipped back again. The world will be invading Canada, Mexico and the United States with a big wave of joy and happiness, because that’s what football is all about. Football is also the sport of the immigrants, of inclusion and of bringing people together.

With 48 countries coming and playing at this World Cup, it will be amazing and football by that time here in North America will be at a completely different level. In this part of the world – in these three countries – you are leading the world in so many areas: in economy, in sport, and so on. But in the number one sport in the world which is soccer, or football, you are not yet, and the objective must be that you will be leading the world as well in the world’s number one sport.”