FIFA World Cup inspectors visit White House

FIFA inspectors visit White House

WASHINGTON — FIFA’s World Cup inspectors have had breakfast at the White House, meeting with aides to President Barack Obama.

The six-man delegation from soccer’s governing body met Wednesday with Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, White House deputy chief of staff Jim Messina and senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, an assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs and public engagement.

FIFA’s group was scheduled to visit Miami later Wednesday before completing its five-city U.S. tour Thursday in Texas.

FIFA’s 24-man executive committee votes Dec. 2 on the 2018 and 2022 hosts.

Europe is expected to be awarded the 2018 tournament, with England, Russia, Spain-Portugal and Belgium-Netherlands competing. The U.S. is up against Australia, Japan, Qatar and South Korea for 2022.