An insular people, the Swiss, noted for banking, secrecy and efficiency, close by is Chechia, who play today against host Mexico, which has the record for most host world cups.  So why would FIFA prefer Mexico to Canada?  Initial match, 3 time host, etc, simple:  sex and money.  Bikinis, Cabo de San Lucas, Sports Illustrated bikinis, Cancun, Cozumel, Mexican sun, the most popular tourist destination for americans, abroad:  Mexico.  We have a longer border with Canada, very long, just the continental usa, not even getting into Canada/Alaska border, which is very long.  

 Czech Republic, former name, split, supposedly with Slovakia w/o a conflict.  Who despite their relatively small size has had much success in sports in general.  I remember they beat us, the USA 3 to 0, in soccer and in the winter Olympics, men's ice hockey same score.  Twice, akin to Croatia, smaller country, has made the finals.  So "odd" things do happen, "dark horses" L Donavon's wording, and others, but to me the pattern is oh so pernicious, favoritism, discrimination, money and sex.

Switzerland has four official national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

The Czechoslovakia national football team reached the FIFA World Cup final twice, finishing as runners-up in both. They made appearances in the tournament's championship match in 1934 and 1962