2026 World Cup: Bidding process suspended amid Fifa corruption scandal

Process had been due to start in May 2017

Italian players celebrate with the world cup trophy, following their team's victory during the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany (Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The bidding process for the 2026 World Cup has been suspended, Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke has announced.

The decision on the next available tournament, which will follow those planned for Russia and Qatar, comes amid allegations of widespread corruption and bribery at Fifa.

The decision on the hosts was due to be made in Kuala Lumpur in May 2017.

The United States, who narrowly missed out to Qatar for the 2022 tournament, will remain the favourites to host the tournament.

Morocco, Colombia, Mexico and Canada (who are currently hosting the Women's World Cup) are also thought to be contenders.

Having said they would never bid whilst Sepp Blatter was president of Fifa, England could potentially enter the race following the decision of the head of world football's governing body to step down.

Fifa are currently engulfed by allegations of corruption that is seeing them investigated by both Swiss and US authorities, with the bidding process for the tournaments awarded to Russia and Qatar central to those investigations.