North America became a stronger favorite to host an expanded World Cup in 2026 after FIFA essentially barred European countries from bidding Friday. The FIFA Council agreed that UEFA and Asian confederation members should not bid again so soon after Russia hosts the 2018 World Cup and Qatar has the 2022 tournament. "That has changed the landscape (of the 2026 contest) a little bit," said US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati, a FIFA Council member. FIFA said Europe would be put on standby only if "none of the received bids fulfill the strict technical and financial requirements." That's unlikely if the United States bids as expected, either alone or with Canada and Mexico. FIFA favors co-hosting among regional neighbors, and a three-way bid could be more popular if the tournament grows to 40 or 48 teams. A decision will be made on whether to expand the tournament on Jan. 9-10 when the FIFA Council next meets in Zurich. FIFA has targeted 2020 for its member federations to choose the 2026 host. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was elected this year after promising voters a 40-team World Cup, would not declare North America as the most likely host region. "It is still too early to say that," Infantino said. "We hope we have many bidders and we can choose ... who the best bidder is." Still, the North American regional body CONCACAF has long been seen as the natural host for 2026 and its claim got stronger Friday. The United States was the last country in the region to stage the tournament in 1994. "The answer is ‘Sure,' it would be silly to say anything but that," Gulati said of a contest that could also include bids from Africa and South America. CONCACAF lost out when a hosting rotation system approved during Sepp Blatter's presidency was abandoned before its scheduled turn in 2018 came around. Back then, FIFA preferred to block continents from two World Cup bidding contests after hosting, but when statutes were updated in recent reforms the rule said only one tournament had to be skipped. Gulati said the new clarity in bidding would encourage an entry from the United States. "We now know some of the rules," said Gulati, FIFA's top American official. "We will look at it. We have great relationships with Canada and Mexico. We also have a country with 320 million people that has hosted a World Cup and with a lot of terrific stadiums and great infrastructure." Messi ready to return Lionel Messi is ready to make his return for Barcelona. Probably. The Argentina forward has been out for three weeks with a right groin strain, but Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said Friday that Messi could play against Deportivo La Coruna at Camp Nou Saturday. "I never give clues to opposing coaches," said Luis Enrique, who will announce his squad on the day of the match. "In the case of Leo, he has been training with us since Wednesday," the coach said. "It's clear that since he is coming back from injury he needs minutes both in training and in games. Tomorrow I will talk with him, but he is available." After the match against Deportivo, Barcelona will host Manchester City in the Champions League — a game in which the Spanish team will face former coach Pep Guardiola.
