Morocco-Spain-Portugal Joint 2030 World Cup Bid Sends Message of Peace, Inclusion, Says FIFA President

Morocco’s bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal is “a message of peace, tolerance, and inclusion,” emphasized FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“Two continents – Africa and Europe – united not only in a celebration of football but also in providing unique social and cultural cohesion. What a great message of peace, tolerance and inclusion,” Infantino was quoted as saying in a press release issued after the FIFA Council meeting held Wednesday via videoconference.

The FIFA Executive Committee announced it unanimously selected the joint Morocco-Spain-Portugal bid to host the 2030 World Cup since it was the only bid in the race for hosting the 2030 event.

King Mohammed VI celebrated the news and expressed gratitude to the cooperation of Spanish and Portuguese football authorities in making this historic step possible for Moroccan football, the Royal Office said in a statement.

King Mohammed VI “is pleased to announce to the Moroccan people that the FIFA Executive Committee has unanimously selected the Morocco-Spain-Portugal bid as the sole candidacy for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup,” the statement said.

The royal cabinet said the decision by the FIFA Executive Committee has acknowledged Morocco’s rising status in the world of football and its key position in the concert of great nations.

King Mohammed VI extended his congratulations to Spain and Portugal and reiterated Morocco’s commitment to “working in perfect synergy” with the authorities responsible for the success of the joint bid in each of the host countries.

King Mohammed VI has repeatedly emphasized the significance of the joint bid with Spain and Portugal, describing it as an opportunity to further cement the long-standing relations between the three countries and as a platform for promoting Euro-African unity and cooperation.

Commenting on the FIFA Executive Committee’s unanimous decision to entrust the world event organization to Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, President of Morocco’s Football Federation (FRMF) Fouzi Lekjaa has expressed confidence that the three countries will make history and elevate the organization of the World Cup to a new level.

“This is a significant moment in Morocco’s history, a great achievement under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI,” Lekjaa said.

Meanwhile, the Spanish Football Federation issued a statement announcing and celebrating the FIFA chief’s positive comments on the readiness of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco to host a memorable World Cup.

The Spanish Football Federation quoted Lekjaa as saying “it is an honor and responsibility that we have before us, and a privilege to join forces with Portugal and Spain to prepare a bid dossier that I am confident will make history.”

The federation celebrated FIFA’s decision, stressing that the three countries are thrilled and are already preparing to rise-up to the challenge of hosting of the most impressive World Cup ever.

Pedro Rocha, President of the Interim Management Committee at the Spanish federation, echoed Lekjaa’s sentiment, emphasizing his country’s excitement to welcome the World Cup on its soil almost 50 years after it first hosted the global tournament.

“I am confident that together with Morocco and Portugal, we will host the best World Cup in history,” he added.

Fernando Gomes, President of the Portuguese Football Federation also welcomed FIFA’s decision, saying that each of the three countries is home to a “vibrant football tradition” that will make the 2030 a uniquely enchanting experience for players, commentators, and fans alike.

“Each of our countries brings a vibrant football tradition, unparalleled organizational experience as an innovative capacity that will undoubtedly make its mark on the future of the competition,” he said.

However, a novelty of the 2030 World Cup will be that the opening three matches of the tournament will be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, to mark the centenary of the very first World Cup.

FIFA said on Wednesday that the decision to award Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay the opening games was part of the tournament’s 100th anniversary.

“All six countries will qualify automatically for the tournament and it will be the first World Cup to be held across three continents.”