During an event in Portugal, Morocco, Portugal and Spain have released advanced plans for hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030.
The three countries announced their plans at a media event held at the Headquarters of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and a successful bid would see the FIFA World Cup being held across two continents for the first time in its 100-year history.
The bid to host the tournament was made under the mission to build a tournament ‘for football, for the world, for tomorrow’, with the bid’s slogan “YallaVamos”, representing the goal to proactively grow the game across the globe.
“In a world undergoing rapid and profound transformation, football cannot be left behind. It must maintain its core essence while adapting to change, evolving and innovating, particularly in terms of sustainability,” Fernando Gomes, President of the FPF, commented.
“The 2030 World Cup will therefore bring together the rich memory of the competition and the innovation and invention of the future!
“That’s our challenge! Football will ultimately become what we shape it into! We have an obligation to look after it and give it a meaning that inspires everyone, not just the football world.”
Given the multi-Continental framework, the bid has placed special emphasis on building connections between cultures, creating a hospitable space for individuals from diverse backgrounds and leaving a significant impact in sustainability, innovation, investment and social progress.
Additionally, the bid’s key strengths were mentioned at the event, including modern football infrastructure, short travel times and the intense passion of the host countries for football.
Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, added: “Today marks an important milestone in the historic bid of our three countries, in accordance with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
“By working together every day with our Portuguese and Spanish counterparts, we are demonstrating the value of collaboration and teamwork, and we are convinced that the world of football will benefit from it.”
Iconic football figures from the past such as Luis Figo, Andres Iniesta, Emmanuel Adebayor and Nourredine Naybet were also unveiled as the bid’s first ambassadors alongside present players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Dolores Silva, Irene Paredes, Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak.
Fernando Sanz, Royal Spanish Football Federation Bid Committee Member, said: “The country joins together with two neighbouring countries to create a World Cup that will have an impact for generations.
“We want to mark the future with a unique World Cup. With modern facilities for players and fans, a compact tournament with short travel distances, we are sure that fans will have a unique experience in our three countries.”
Following FIFA Bidding Regulations, the next phase involves the formal bid submission in July 2024. The ultimate decision on the host for the FIFA World Cup 2030 is due to be made through a vote at the FIFA Congress in Q4 2024.
In terms of the next world cup in 2026, New Jersey announced in February that it will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, as the competition is played in Canada, Mexico and the US.
