The official declaration of intent to host the 2030 World Cup was presented this Saturday by the Portuguese (FPF), Spanish (RFEF) and Moroccan (FRMF) football federations in Rabat, fulfilling one of the requirements of the candidacy process.
Presidents Fernando Gomes, of the FPF, Pedro Rocha, of the RFEF, and Fouzi Lekjaa, of the FRMF, formalized the signing of the document during a ceremony at the Mohammed VI complex, ten days after they met in Cidade do Futebol . in Oeiras.
“Trust is the basis of long-term partnerships. This letter represents our commitment to FIFA and our desire to host the World Cup, but it also represents the commitment that each of us makes to work together to achieve what we all want: to ensure a World Cup in 2030 that will be remembered by all will remain as something unique and inspiring”Fernando Gomes emphasized during his speech.
The presentation of the official declaration of intent is the first formal step towards the joint candidacy of Portugal, Spain and Morocco, which brings together countries from two continents for the first time and was already declared the only candidate eligible by FIFA on October 4. .
“FIFA’s decision honors our history, recognizes our organizational capacity, rewards the courage of a diverse and multicultural candidacy and recognizes a passion for football in the three countries,” said the FPF leader, recalling the ability he past has shown the ‘responsibility’ and ‘complexity’ inherent in organizing the most important football team tournament on a global scale.
The World Cup will be shared between six countries in an unprecedented way, as it will promote the competition for three matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, to celebrate the centenary of the competition, the first edition of which was held on Uruguayan territory. 1930.
“2030 will be much more than the celebration of a past event. Our World Cup, thanks to the ambition and competence of the three federations, will mark a paradigm shift in the future of the competition. That is our challenge,” said Fernando Gomes.
To date, the only joint hosting of a World Championship was carried out by South Korea and Japan, in 2002, and the next edition, scheduled for 2026, will be the first to involve three countries, including Canada, Mexico and the US .
“2030 will be more future than past. We will innovate and we will create a truly sustainable global event, not merely of a reputational or communications nature, but with a purpose. We will leave a legacy through the practices we will implement and the experiences but also for the infrastructure and modernity of the stadiums that we will offer to all who visit us,” he emphasized.
The Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon, the largest Portuguese sports venue, with a capacity of approximately 65,000 spectators, the Estádio do Dragão, in Porto, and the Estádio José Alvalade, also in the capital, both with approximately 50,000 seats. the only national venues that meet FIFA requirements to host World Cup matches.
“Our challenge did not start today. The candidacy committee, led by António Laranjo, has been working for over a year and is preparing a proposal that will honor the challenge proposed by FIFA. In a few months we will present the candidacy file. be the basic document for this entire project”concluded Fernando Gomes.
Portugal is making its debut in hosting World Cups, having already hosted the 2004 European Championship, while Spain hosted Euro 1964 and the 1982 World Cup, while Morocco only hosted the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in 1988. a status it repeats in 2025.
Source: DN
