July 30 – Plans to stage the 2030 and 2034 World Cups have passed a key landmark with FIFA receiving the formal bid books from leaders of the seven member federations involved.
The 2030 tournament is being co-hosted across three Continents for the first time with Spain and Portugal joined by Morocco along with South America’s Argentina, Paraguay and inaugural 1930 hosts Uruguay.
In contrast, Saudi Arabia is the sole candidate for 2034 after being controversially fast-tracked by FIFA last year.
The two bids are set to be confirmed at a December 11 online meeting of FIFA’s 211 member federations.
Prior to this, FIFA will publish in-depth details of the proposed World Cup projects, outlining essential infrastructure components such as stadiums, accommodation, training facilities, transportation, and national security measures.
“FIFA is committed to conducting a rigorous evaluation of the bid books and intends to release its detailed assessment report by the end of the year,” FIFA stated.
Crucially, World Cup bidders are now required to undergo a thorough review of their human rights commitments to be allowed to host the tournament.
During the event in Paris, leaders of the Spanish, Portuguese and Moroccan bid elaborated on their vision for the tournament.
“We want the 2030 FIFA World Cup to unite people from all over the world and make all Africans proud,” said Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation whose country has tried and failed numerous times to host the event.
Fernando Gomes, President of the Portuguese Football Federation, commented: “This is a bid which includes environmental aspects as a structuring pillar of the event, a bid which combines the needs of the competition with the expectations of FIFA World Cup host cities, and a bid which promotes inclusion and diversity for all.”
Despite all manner of off-the-field shenanigans, Spain has succeeded in winning the women’s World Cup and, earlier this month, the men’s Euros.
“Forty-two years ago, our country organised its only FIFA World Cup to date – Spain 1982,” said RFEF General Secretary Álvaro de Miguel. “Today, more than 40% of our population were not born when that happened. The FIFA World Cup 2030 will unite those generations that lived through it and those that did not. And it will also unite three countries and two continents, leaving an intergenerational, international and intercontinental legacy.”
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