FIFA has approved a plan to fast track the bidding for the 2026 World Cup.

Ninety-three percent of the 209 voting members of the Congress approved the 2026 plan, setting the United States-led North American bid on course to officially land the hosting rights as early as June 2018.

"We have to make sure this bidding process is bulletproof," Gianni Infantino said.

Sunil Gulati said he wants to avoid being presumptuous but is confident of the North American bid.

"In a way, we weren't really a sophisticated soccer country in 1994," Gulati said. "We've had such growth since then. ... It's a great focal point, a vision for everyone connected to the game. And maybe also for the men's national team, where we can dream about what might happen at that tournament."

FIFA has rescinded a four-match ban given to Lionel Messi during World Cup qualifying for Argentina.

Messi missed Argentina's 2-0 loss to Bolivia but will return for critical matched against Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru.

During the Chile game, Messi was caught on camera venting his fury at an assistant who signalled he had committed a foul late on in Argentina’s 1-0 win. He was not shown a card at the time.

The FIFA committee stressed it “considered Messi’s behaviour as reproachable” but concluded “the evidence available was not sufficient to establish” an infringement had occurred.

The statement continued: “The Appeal Committee nevertheless underlines the importance of always showing respect to the match officials, stressing that such a principle is essential in football and any unsporting conduct that may be contrary to the principles of fair play cannot be accepted.”