The vote to select the host for the 2026 World Cup has been pushed back by three years from 2017 to 2020.
 
The world football governing body, FIFA, unveiled the decision on Wednesday as part of new and stricter bidding rules that come amid allegations of corruption surrounding the host countries named for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
 
FIFA said countries that wish to host the World Cup must meet certain requirements such as that related to human rights, sustainable event management and environmental protection in the bidding process. The governing body said bidders that do not meet technical requirements will be excluded.
 
Initially, five FIFA member countries were planning to select the host for the 2026 games through a vote next year. 

The U.S., Canada and Mexico are being discussed as possible bidders while Australia and New Zealand are also showing interest in hosting the 2026 tournament.

Also on Wednesday, FIFA agreed to decide by October on whether to expand the number of countries participating in the World Cup from 32 to 40.