Morocco will workforce up with Spain and Portugal in a glitzy, three-way bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, officers introduced in a joint assertion Tuesday.
Ukraine had initially joined Spain and Portugal as a possible companion for his or her 2030 bid, however with the latter’s conflict with Russia having no finish in sight, Morocco have stepped in.
“I would like to announce that the Kingdom of Morocco has decided, together with Spain and Portugal, to present a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup,” Morocco’s King Mohammed VI mentioned in a letter learn by the nation’s minister of sport Chakib Benmoussa in Kigali, the place soccer physique FIFA hosts its 73rd Congress on Thursday.
“This joint bid, which is unprecedented in soccer historical past, will carry collectively Africa and Europe, the northern and southern Mediterranean, and the African, Arab and Euro-Mediterranean worlds.
“It will also bring out the best in all of us – in effect a combination of genius, creativity, experience and means.”
Morocco have bid for a number of World Cup finals up to now, coming closest within the race to stage the 2010 event the place they misplaced out to South Africa.
They shocked the world on the event in Qatar final 12 months after they grew to become the primary African aspect to succeed in the semi-finals the place they misplaced to France. Morocco finally completed fourth behind Croatia.
The African nation additionally hosted the 2022 Club World Cup, which was delayed as a result of Qatar World Cup and was held final month.
There is one different confirmed joint bid for the 2030 finals from South American nations Argentina, Paraguay, Chile and Uruguay. The latter hosted the primary World Cup finals in 1930.
The 2026 World Cup might be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada with 48 groups taking part in a complete of 104 matches.
FIFA authorized a brand new format on Tuesday with 12 teams the place the highest two groups and eight greatest third-placed groups transfer into the knockout spherical of 32.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
