War-torn Ukraine is reportedly set to join Spain and Portugal’s joint-bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a move that has already been sanctioned by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the governments of Spain and Portugal. The 2022 World Cup will begin later this year in Qatar, while the 2026 edition will be played in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Get the predictions for tomorrow soccer matches here!
According to various reports, the plan is to stage one of the group games in Ukraine if the bid is successful. Two years ago, Spain and Portugal announced their intention to jointly bid for hosting rights in the 2030 World Cup. With Ukraine’s addition as a host nation, given the current political situation, the bid is going to be tough and intriguing for the future of the tournament.
In June, Wales handed Ukraine a 1-0 defeat to complete the list of European contenders in the 2022 World Cup and ending 64-year absence at the tournament. An own goal from Ukraine winger Andriy Yarmolenk while attempting to clear Gareth Bale’s first-half free kick sealed the qualification for Wales. Ukraine has not qualified for the World Cup since 2006. Follow us for more accurate soccer predictions.
The announcement of the new partnership will take place at UEFA’s headquarters during a news conference between Spain and Portugal soccer chiefs. Earlier, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin expressed certainty about Spain and Portugal’s 2030 World Cup bid. “I am sure that the 2030 World Cup will be played in Spain and Portugal,” Ceferin said.
“This bid is a winning one and we will do everything possible to help two countries that are passionate, live and breathe football and that have a good infrastructure,” he added. The European bid will contest with the joint bid from Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay, and a reported Saudi-Egyptian bid. In 2018, Morocco also announced that they will make a bid for the 2030 event.
Tunisia and Algeria were reportedly set to join Morocco in the said bid. Earlier, Britain’s four associations expressed interest in a joint bid along with Ireland, while Bulgaria, Serbia, Greece and Romania also planned a joint bid. However, both plans were dropped. Reports also claim that China could also present a bid, becoming only the third Asian nation to host a World Cup since Japan-South Korea and Qatar.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino seemingly favors the one with the inclusion of an African nation. FIFA will decide in 2024 which group of countries gets to host the 2026 World Cup, with the 211 member associations to vote on which venue is the best. Following the expansion plans for the tournament, the 2030 World Cup will feature 48 teams, up from 32 in the current format.
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