2030 World Cup: Morocco’s joint bid with Spain & Portugal, a very good message of collaboration between Mediterranean two shores, between Europe and Africa

Spanish and Portuguese Prime Ministers Pedro Sánchez and Antonio Costa have hailed Morocco’s joint bid with Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup as a “very good message” of collaboration between the two shores of the Mediterranean, and between Europe and Africa.

“This bid has a very positive charge and sends a very important message to the world, to Europe and Africa, that we are two neighboring continents that want to work together,” said Costa at a joint news conference with Pedro Sánchez, at the end of a meeting they held in Lanzarote (Canary Islands).

“Through this candidacy, what we want is to celebrate sport together by defending a fair and balanced competition,” said the Portuguese PM, describing the decision as “very important.”

It is the first time that a joint bid is presented on both sides of the Mediterranean between Africa and Europe, he said. “This bid brings together what no one can separate,” said Costa.

Echoing him, Pedro Sanchez said “this decision is a very good positive message that improves the conditions for us to move forward with this bid.”

“We must be pleased with this decision, because it puts this bid in a better position to win this race,” said the head of the Spanish Government, adding that this bid also strengthens relations between Europe and Africa and between three countries that share many interests.

Morocco officially announced its decision to join the transcontinental bid on Tuesday in Kigali, Rwanda at the CAF President Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony.

The announcement came in a message King Mohammed VI addressed to the participants at the CAF awards ceremony.

“I would like to announce, before this assembly, that the Kingdom of Morocco has decided, together with Spain and Portugal, to present a joint bid to host the 2023 World Cup,” said the message read out by Chakib Benmoussa, Morocco’s Minister of Sports, on behalf of King Mohammed VI.

“This joint bid, which is unprecedented in football history, will bring together Africa and Europe, the northern and southern Mediterranean, and the African, Arab and Euro-Mediterranean worlds,” the monarch added. “It will also bring out the best in all of us – in effect, a combination of genius, creativity, experience, and means.”

The announcement made international headlines, with many agreeing it is a historic bid that brings together two continents and diverse cultures.

Spanish and Portuguese football federations have recently approved joining Morocco to their bid after the initial plan to host the competition with Ukraine fell through due to corruption within the Ukrainian football association.

Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, as well as Britain, have also announced their candidacy to host the 2030 World Cup.

Morocco has attempted to secure World Cup hosting rights several times, but without success. In 2018, King Mohammed VI instructed the country to submit its candidacy for the 2030 event.