An unprecedented World Cup, held in six countries on three continents, jointly organized by Portugal, Spain and Morocco, but with the three opening matches being played in South America. FIFA announced yesterday that it would also reward the defeated South candidate. (Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay), which did not have the necessary infrastructure to organize the 2030 competition, which will take place 100 years after the first tournament, precisely hosted by Uruguay.
This will be the 2030 FIFA World Cup, in a format never seen before, with the three countries (Portugal, Spain and Morocco) promising that “they will work to prepare the best candidacy file ever presented and organize a World Cup will organize that honors diversity.” and celebrate the history of the competition with the passion that unites the three countries for football.”
In a statement, and after the Spanish press reported the news and Alejandro Domínguez, president of CONMEBOL, revealed through the social network Twitter the news of South America hosting the three opening matches, FIFA made the decision mid-afternoon official and stated that the choice was made unanimously and justifies that “the only eligible candidacy is the joint candidacy of Morocco, Portugal and Spain, which will organize the competition in 2030”.
The organization that manages world football has also revealed that Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host three matches at this World Cup, as a way to celebrate “the centenary” of the competition, the first edition of which took place precisely in Uruguay, in 1930, with the first match between France and Mexico (4-1), held in the Pocitos district, in Montevideo, on July 13, 1930.
The opening match will take place right in the city of Montevideo. In addition, Argentina will host the first match of its national team, while Paraguay will also host the first challenge of its respective national team. With this decision, six teams have already automatically qualified for the 2030 World Cup, which will be played by 48 teams and will consist of 104 matches: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Fernando Gomes, president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), believes that each of the three organizing countries “brings a vibrant football tradition, unparalleled organizational experience and an ability to innovate that will certainly determine the future of the competition” .
Pedro Rocha, president of the Spanish Football Federation, highlighted “the return to Spain, almost 50 years later, of organizing a World Cup”, confident that it will be “the best World Cup ever”. Fouzi Lekjaa, leader of the Moroccan Football Federation, spoke of an “important moment in the history of Morocco”.
Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, said that “the 2030 tournament will have a unique global dimension”. “Three continents – Africa, Europe and America – six countries – Argentina, Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay – embracing and uniting the world as they celebrate the centenary of the World Cup,” he concluded, adding that “in a divided world, FIFA and football show that they are united”. And he justified the awarding of the opening matches to Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay with the aim of “celebrating the centenary of the World Cup, the first edition of which took place in Uruguay” , in 1930.
23 stadiums, three Portuguese
The decision announced by FIFA will bring to Portugal the largest football competition in the world and the third “biggest” championship organized in our country, after the 1991 Under-20 World Cup and Euro 2004. Spain hosted the 1982 World Cup and the European Championship from 1964, and Morocco the African Cup of Nations from 1988 and will host the competition in 2025.
In terms of stadiums, the bid offered 23, but Portugal will only have three as only Luz, Alvalade and Dragão meet FIFA’s requirements to host World Cup matches in 2030 – the venues must have at least 80,000 seats to to organize finals and opening ceremonies, 60 thousand for matches from the quarter-finals onwards and the remaining at least 40 thousand. Most of the matches will be held in Spain, which requested fifteen locations, and Morocco moved up to five locations. It looks like the final will take place at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Prime Minister António Costa received the news with “great joy”. In a message on social media, the head of government congratulated the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) “for the commitment and the work done”: “We welcome this partnership with Spain and Morocco, certain that it will be another demonstration that we have the ability and proven ability to organize major events. It will certainly be a hugely successful World Cup.”
Marcelo published a note in which he revealed that he was always convinced that this would be a winning candidacy: ‘The result known today exceeds expectations, because it moved from a purely European candidacy to a European, African and South American candidacy, connecting countries with each other. have a common history.”
Ana Catarina Mendes, Deputy Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, who oversees Sports, did not provide details about the organization. “We will have time to talk about the entire organization. What is relevant is the success of the candidacy, the choice of FIFA, the demonstration of unity in this diversity of cultures and a day of celebration for the Portuguese, for football and for sport in Portugal.”
Source: DN
