2030 World Cup: Ukraine joins joint bid from Morocco, Spain and Portugal
In the race to host the 2030 World Cup, the joint bid from Morocco, Spain and Portugal has accepted Ukraine's addition.
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A 2030 World Cup spanning 4 countries across 2 continents would be historic. According to L'Equipe, Ukraine is joining the joint bid that previously comprised Morocco, Portugal and Spain. However, that is only on condition that the war between Russia and Ukraine ends, as FIFA's decision is due in September 2024, a little more than a year away. Otherwise, the Eastern European country could withdraw from the joint bid. The bid, involving these 4 countries across 2 continents, is built around environmental and human sustainability.
Spain, Portugal, Ukraine and Morocco will present a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup. https://t.co/Bqp6QwmK2j pic.twitter.com/XVzH5Lkqem
— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) July 6, 2023
A contest against the South American bid
Before the announced withdrawal of Saudi Arabia, who had been set to join Greece and Egypt, this joint European and African bid will have only one rival: the South American coalition. Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay have pooled their efforts to boost their chances of landing the 2030 World Cup. Joint bids are in vogue because FIFA has decided that the World Cup will expand from 32 to 48 teams from 2026, with the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA will reveal the successful hosts in September 2024.