Rabat – US President Donald Trump took to his Twitter to attack countries, whose football federations promise support for Morocco’s 2026 World Cup bid on Thursday.
Although FIFA pledges no political interference in its tournaments, Trump wrote that his country “put together a Strong bid” with the other two North American nations to host the tournament in 2026.
Trump went on to say “It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the US bid,” referring to the widespread support many federations have pledged the Moroccan bid.
The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. 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)?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 26, 2018
The US President also threatened to withhold support from countries that will not side with the US bid and its decisions. “Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?” Trump asked, referring to the stance of UN members on the Jerusalem question.
This was not the first time Trump threatened cutting US support to other nations. On January 2, the US President took to his Twitter account threatening to cut US fund to Palestinians.
Trump said, “It is not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries and others, As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED of Million of Dollars a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don’t even want to negotiate [with Israel].”
It’s not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They don’t even want to negotiate a long overdue…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018
In January, Trump’s administration announced its intention to cut more than half of the financial aid that the US normally provides to the UN agency helping Palestinian refugees.
Heather Nauert, spokeswoman for the US State Department, said in January that the Trump administration will provide only USD 6 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). She added that the country will withhold another USD 65 million for “future consideration.”
The official claimed that the US decision is aimed at encouraging other countries to increase their funding of the UN agency.
Two months ahead the FIFA Congress vote, scheduled to take place in Moscow on June 13, Morocco is gathering votes from all the corners of the world, including Europe, as the solo bid against the joint American bid.
Countries that have already pledged to support Morocco 2026 include Lebanon, Palestine, Nigeria, Qatar, Botswana, France, Luxembourg, Russia, Belgium, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, and Kenya.
