Ukraine will join Portugal and Spain in a joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the federations of the two Iberian countries made official this Wednesday during a press conference at UEFA headquarters.
“The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have involved Ukraine in the bid for the 2030 World Cup. The two associations have announced their intention to UEFA, which immediately expressed its full support,” the organizations emphasized. led by Fernando Gomes and Luis Rubiales, in a statement.
“This proposal aims to contribute through the power of football to the recovery of a country under reconstruction,” said the Portuguese Football Federation, which believes “the example of tenacity and resilience of the Ukrainian people is inspiring”.
In the midst of a military conflict with Russia, Ukraine narrows down the only European candidacy for hosting the main world team competition in 2030, whose cooperation protocol between FPF and RFEF was already signed in October 2020.
The proposal was presented in June 2021 and received the support of UEFA, which received competition from at least one South American project (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay), an African project (Morocco) and an intercontinental project (Saudi Arabia). , Egypt and Greece).
“The coordination committee of the 2030 World Cup, led by António Laranjo, will now include representatives of the Ukrainian delegation. The candidacy of Portugal, Spain and Ukraine will meet the deadlines set for the presentation of their specifications to FIFA. We are believe that the football family world will support this initiative,” they concluded.
Logical and natural decision
According to the president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), Fernando Gomes, the inclusion of Ukraine in the joint candidacy of Portugal and Spain to host the 2030 World Cup was “a logical and natural decision”.
“For some, this decision may seem surprising and unexpected. For us it was a logical and natural decision. The devastation, the flight of millions of Ukrainians, the uncertainty about the future weighed on our desire to integrate Ukraine into this candidacy, which deserved from the beginning the unconditional support of the UEFA president [Aleksander Ceferin]which I would like to thank in advance,” the manager said at a press conference held today at the European Football Regulator’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
António Costa and Pedro Sánches want 2030 World Cup “for peace”
Portugal and Spain heads of government, António Costa and Pedro Sánchez, said the two countries are ready, along with Ukraine, to host a World Cup “for peace” by 2030.
“We have already shown that we are capable of organizing first-class events. Portugal and Spain are ready, together with Ukraine, to host the 2030 World Cup. We want a championship for peace, to show the best of sports , but also Europe’s best values,” the Portuguese Prime Minister wrote on the social network Twiiter, a message also published by the president of the Spanish government.
Qatar will host the 22nd edition of the World Cup this year, from November 20 to December 18, followed by an unprecedented co-organization between three countries (Canada, United States and Mexico) in 2026, and the celebration of the centenary of the test by 2030.
The choice of host countries for the 2030 World Cup is scheduled for the 74th FIFA Congress, in 2024, after Portugal hosted the 2004 European Championship and Spain hosted the 1964 European Championship and the 1982 World Cup, while Ukraine hosted the 2012 European Championship together with Poland.
The military offensive launched by Russia in Ukraine on February 24 has already resulted in the flight of more than 13 million people – more than six million displaced persons and more than 7.4 million to European countries – according to the UN, which considers this refugee crisis the worst. in Europe since World War II (1939-1945).
Justified by Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russia’s security, that country’s invasion has been condemned by the general international community, which has responded by sending arms to Ukraine and attacking Russia. of political and economic sanctions.
The UN presented 5,996 dead and 8,848 injured civilians as confirmed since the war started in Eastern Europe, stressing that these numbers are far below the real number.
The main football championship has been taking place within Ukraine’s borders since August, but with matches played behind closed doors and near air raid shelters, while the national team plays as its home side in ‘neighboring’ Poland.
Source: DN
