*By Michael Teich*
FIFA, the organization that runs world soccer, can move past its shady history of bribery and corruption when its members vote Wednesday on which country will host the 2026 World Cup, said Buzzfeed investigative reporter Ken Bensinger.
The finalists include Morocco, which would be only the second African country to host international soccer's quadrennial championship, and a united North American bid by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“It will be a massive test for FIFA,” said Bensinger, author of Red Card: How the U.S Blew the Whistle on the World's Biggest Sports Scandal. “It’s pretty obvious that the U.S is the choice. If FIFA selects Morocco, we might have a stinking sensation that things might not be cleaned up yet.”
The vote, to take place on the eve of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, will be the first under new rules established after the soccer world was rocked three years ago when U.S. investigators revealed generations of FIFA executives were involved in bribery schemes spanning decades.
Since the scandal, Bensinger said, FIFA has taken promising steps toward fixing its problems and improving its reputation, including adding women to the executive board for the first time and becoming more transparent about its voting procedures. This is the first time the World Cup will be awarded by a vote of all member organizations, not a small cadre of FIFA executives.
“Sports leagues that are transparent, not only do they avoid the scandal, but they also make more money,” Bensinger said. “Being transparent, being capitalist is good for the sport and good for its stakeholders, the fans, for everybody.”
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/world-cup-vote-may-signal-how-much-fifas-changed).
Peter Feigin, President of the Milwaukee Bucks, joins Cheddar to discuss the new arena fans and players have to look forward to in 2018. The new building will cost around $524 million and most of that cost is going towards customizing the fan's experience.
Bitcoin futures start trading on the CME, and Congressional Democrats call for a hearing on the Disney/Fox deal. Plus tax reform gets closer, weather could have an impact on holiday shopping, and the rise of ICOs.
Football fans will now be able to stream their favorite games on their phones, after Verizon signed a multi-year deal with the NFL. Paul Kelly, Chief Revenue Officer of Whistle Sports joins Cheddar to discuss the ever-changing landscape for sports media.
Paul Kelly, chief revenue officer at Whistle Sports, says that this deal will allow Verizon to tap the millennial market with more than just live sports.
Season 3 of Nickelodeon's competition series "Paradise Run" kicks off in 2018. Host of the show, Daniella Monet, shares what to expect in the new season of this series.
The first box office forecasts for "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" are in and it's looking like the sequel is the hit Hollywood has been waiting for this year. Bauer Xcel Media's Kate Spies and FHM's Nick Dimengo join Cheddar to discuss the early reviews and more top entertainment headlines.
It's official: the final four teams have been selected for the college football championship. Nick Dimengo, Senior Editor at FHM Magazine, joins Cheddar to discuss his picks for the Clemson vs. Alabama and Oklahoma, vs. Georgia games.
Jennifer Cunningham, Senior Editor at Bossip.com, and Todd Johnson, Managing Editor at The Grio, discuss Colin Kaepernick winning Sports Illustrated's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. Kaepernick was honored for fighting social injustice against African Americans, and his pledge to continue to fight, despite not having an NFL contract.
When veterans return home from service, many struggle to find jobs and careers. That's why Quick Lane launched the "Trading One Uniform For Another," program to help veterans fund an automotive education and career.
The rodeo circuit has been one of the sporting world's biggest boys' clubs for over a century. That's changing, thanks to women like Duke Wimberly, one of the bronc riders featured on Ride TV's new series "Cowgirls."
