Ukraine has officially joined Spain and Portugal’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030.
Reports of the plans emerged on Tuesday, with the three respective football associations officially announcing the bid on Wednesday.
Spain and Portugal had already confirmed a joint bid to host the tournament last year. They now joined forces with Ukraine in order to ‘change lives’ in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.
‘Our bid is not an Iberian bid anymore, it’s a European bid,’ president of the Spanish Federation Luis Rubiales said.
‘I’m convinced that now our bid is much better than before. Football is universal and if it is capable of changing the lives of people in so many ways it should also be used for doing good.’
Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile are also aiming to host the 2030 World Cup. There is also the transcontinental partnership between Egypt, Greece, and Saudi Arabia.
A statement from the Portuguese Football Federation claims their three-way partnership has ‘unconditional support’ from UEFA. The also believes that by 2030 they will have ‘peace in Europe’.
The example of tenacity and resilience set by the Ukrainian people is inspiring,’ they added.
‘This proposal aims to contribute through the power of football to the recovery of a country undergoing reconstruction.’
It is unknown how the addition of Ukraine will change the logistics. Though Spain says that it will not affect the planned 11 venues in Spain and three in Portugal.
Ironically, the last World Cup in Europe was the 2018 event in Russia.
The 2022 edition kicks off in Qatar in just over a month’s time, with the United States, Canada and Mexico hosting the 2026 event.
Meanwhile, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland have joined forces to bid for the 2028 Euros against Turkey.
