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Ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter backs Morocco's 2026 World Cup bid

MICHAEL BUHOLZER / AFP / Getty

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter took to Twitter on Thursday to express his support for Morocco's 2026 FIFA World Cup hosting bid.

Blatter - who was banned from FIFA in 2015 for six years following an internal investigation into corruption within the organization - said Morocco would be the "logical host" and that "it is time for Africa again!"

Morocco is competing against a three-nation bid submitted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In throwing his support behind the North African country, Blatter also pointed out that FIFA had rejected the idea of co-hosting ever since the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan.

As part of its bid, Morocco is planning to build six new 40,000-seat stadiums, along with a 100,000-seat stadium in Casablanca.

The last World Cup played in Africa was in 2010, when South Africa hosted the tournament, which was followed by Brazil, Russia, and Qatar. The World Cup has not returned to North American soil since 1994, when it was hosted by the United States.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams instead of 32.

Blatter, who served as FIFA president for 17 years, won't be allowed to lodge a vote for Morocco, however, as he'll still be serving his ban when the FIFA Congress decides between the two bids on June 13.

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