Morocco is hiring international strategy consultants to manage its 2026 World Cup bid, reports Associated Press. VERO, a London-based consulting firm, which was in charge of Qatar's 2022 World Cup bid, said that it is intending to «shape the vision of the expanded 48-team tournament in the Kingdom», said the same source. The United States of American, Mexico and Canada were the first nations to announce their wish of hosting the 2026 World Cup, submitting a joint bid on April 2017. Morocco joined four months later, declaring that it is ready to organize the international contest without giving further details on the host cities and stadiums. This is the fifth time that Morocco bid for the World Cup. In 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010 the North African Kingdom failed to host the competition. As part of the preparation for Morocco's bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Chairmanship of Morocco's Bid Committee has been assigned by King Mohammed VI to Moulay Hafid Elalamy, reports MAP news agency. Elalamy's work consists in providing all the necessary support to the Moroccan Royal Football Federation (FRMF) and the specific division created within the FRMF, in accordance with FIFA guidelines and specifications. He will act as the Government's interlocutor for FIFA and will, hence, be in charge of coordinating the action performed by the various departments concerned.
