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FIFA issues reminder of World Cup bidding rules after Trump tweet

Win McNamee / Getty Images News / Getty

FIFA issued an official reminder Friday to government officials to adhere to the rules of conduct regarding the bidding process for hosting rights to a World Cup.

FIFA published the statement via Reuters after U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted his support Thursday for his country's joint bid for the 2026 tournament, which included a thinly-veiled threat to other nations who do not back the United States' venture with Canada and Mexico.

"The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup," Trump posted. "It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?”

FIFA responded: "As a general rule, we cannot comment on specific statements in connection with the bidding process. We can only refer to the FIFA Regulations for the selection of the venue for the final competition of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and in particular to the Bid Rules of Conduct incorporated therein."

The Bid Rules of Conduct specifically and clearly warn against activities by bidding nation's governments which "may adversely affect the integrity of the Bidding Process and create an undue influence on the Bidding Process."

While Trump's tweet may fall afoul of those rules, he wasn't the only leader to tweet his support of the 2026 World Cup bid, as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto also took to social media to share their thoughts:

Nieto's tweet reads: "We can have differences but football unites us. Together we support the candidacy of Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. as the headquarters of the World Cup 2026."

A bid from the Moroccan FA is the only official proposal rivaling that of North America.

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