(Football news) North African country Morocco has joined Spain and Portugal for the opportunity to host the World Cup 2030. They caused a surprise at the 2022 World Cup by reaching the semi final, becoming the first African country to do so. They went on to lose to France and were defeated by Croatia in the third place play-offs. Ukraine had initially joined Portugal and Spain for the bid but reports have emerged that due to the ongoing war and governance issues at the Ukraine Football Association, they might have to pull out.
In a letter, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI said “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. This joint bid, which is unprecedented in football history, will bring together 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 had also bid for the 2010 World Cup but lost out to South Africa while Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay have also bid for the World Cup 2030. The hosts for the tournament will be announced in September 2024 and both the South American and European bids are expected to be favourites to win.
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