The Mexico soccer federation (FMF) has pulled out of the running to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. The FMF declared that economic constraints and a lack of resources forced the decision.

"The decision is based on two premises: the global economic environment and the required infusion of funds towards infrastructure," the FMF said in a statement published on its Web site on Monday. "The global economic environment and the deadlines do not allow for the authorities from the federation, nor the local and federal governments, to secure the finances necessary for the types of construction projects necessary for an event of this magnitude."

Mexico has hosted the World Cup twice, first in 1970 and then as a late replacement for Colombia in 1986. Mexico's Estadio Azteca remains the only stadium in the world to play host to two World Cup finals. Now that Mexico has pulled out, the remaining World Cup hopes for 2018 and 2022 fall to Australia, Indoniesia, Japan and Russia, along with the USA and England. Belgium and the Netherlands as well as Spain and Portugal submitted joint bids. Qatar and South Korea have bid only for the 2022 World Cup.

 

Read the original story...