Morocco joins Iberian bid for 2030 FIFA World Cup

Morocco has announced its decision to join Spain and Portugal in a joint bid to host the 2030 Fifa World Cup, making it a three-way bid. Ukraine, who had initially partnered with Spain and Portugal in October, may no longer be a part of the bid, following Morocco’s announcement at Tuesday’s Fifa Congress. Concerns have been raised about Ukraine’s involvement due to ongoing war and governance issues at the Ukraine Football Association.

Morocco made waves in the 2022 World Cup as the first African side to reach the semi-finals, losing to France in the last four and then to Croatia in the third-place play-off. In their quest to the semi-finals, the defeated Portugal in the quarter-finals and Spain in the second round.

In a letter read by the country’s minister of sport Chakib Benmoussa at the 73rd Fifa Congress in Kigali, Morocco announced the joint bid. The bid would bring together Africa and Europe, the northern and southern Mediterranean, and the African and Euro-Mediterranean worlds, showcasing “genius, creativity, experience, and means.”

Morocco had previously lost to South Africa in the race to host the 2010 World Cup. In addition to the Spain-Portugal-Morocco bid, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay have also submitted a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.