Morocco in bid to deliver a World Cup on two continents with Spain, Portugal
Two European nations have joined forces with a African nation to bid for the FIFA 2030 men’s World Cup hosting rights.
If the bid sails through, it will be the first of its kind. That an African country teams up with Europeans to host the World Cup finals.
Initially it was Ukraine aiming to partner with the two European giants, Spain and Portugal.
But Ukraine has been replaced by Morocco, whose stock continues to rise after a historic showing in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Morocco through their minister of sport, Chakib Benmoussa revealed the development, citing a letter of approval from King Mohammed VI.
WHAT MOROCCO EXPECTS FROM THE BID
“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,” reads part of the letter.
“This joint which is unprecedented in football history will bring together Africa and Europe. It will bring 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 had five previous unsuccessful attempts to host the global showpiece. They attempted in 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010 and for the 2026 edition respectively.
They are targeting to be the first North African country to host World Cup games. In Africa they will be the second on the continent after South Africa who hosted in 2010.
Moreso the proximity between Spain and Morocco makes the collaboration more practical, with eight miles separating them.
In the past, Japan collaborated with South Korea to co-host the 2002 edition of the global tournament.
Meanwhile Canada, America and Mexico are due to co-host the World Cup finals in 2026.
There is stiff competition for the hosting rights as two more transcontinental bids have already been lined up.
Greece, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are hoping to claim the bid. The South American quartet of Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile also threw their bid in the hat.
According to FIFA the 2030 hosts will be selected at the 74th congress to be held in 2024.
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