By Andrew Warshaw
October 5 – Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay have launched a three-nation bid to host the 2030 World Cup, the event’s centenary tournament.
The three countries’ presidents announced the plan in Buenos Aires on Wednesday and although the bidding process will not begin for several more years, two or three stadiums are likely to be used in Paraguay and Uruguay and six to eight in Argentina.
Uruguay won the first World Cup in Montevideo after beating Argentina 4-2 in the final and it has long been expected that they would stage 2030 despite a potential counter-bid from Europe.
“We know there are other countries that want it but I think the 100-year anniversary of the first World Cup in Uruguay makes the region a very attractive prospect,” said Paraguay’s President Horacio Cartes. “The first meeting [for the bid preparation] will be organised in the first week of November.”
“The original idea came from Uruguay and it took us 40 seconds to say yes,” added Argentine president Mauricio Macri said. “And when Paraguay was proposed it took me another 40 seconds to agree. Uruguay was also very positive about their inclusion and I think that gives the candidacy more power.”
No other bid has yet been announced for 2030 and although China has been the subject of much speculation, it is more likely they will go for 2034.
Although South America could face competition from Europe who will be eligible, FIFA President Gianni Infantino appears to have given his tacit backing already to a South American bid having met with the three leaders in Buenos Aires ahead of the announcement.
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