United States President Donald Trump is urging African countries to support the joint North American bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The ambitious bid to stage the quadrennial tournament by the U.S., Mexico and Canada faces competition from Morocco when FIFA votes on the hosts on June 13 in Moscow. All 206 votes from member nations will be made public.

Trump last week tweeted his support while also cautioning it would be a “shame” if it were lobbied against by American allies.

He reaffirmed his stance, which is in defiance of last week’s warning by FIFA against the use of political influence during the bidding process, while speaking at a joint White House press conference alongside Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

“I hope all African countries and countries throughout the world that we also will be supporting you, and that they will likewise support us in our bid along with Canada and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup,” Trump said.

“We will be watching very closely, and any help they could give us in that bid we would appreciate.”

Morocco’s bid is likely to earn significant support from African nations, and national federations from several European countries — including Russia, France and Belgium — also have announced they will back Morocco.

The North American bid has the support of 16 voting nations in South and Central America, as well as Saudi Arabia.