KIGALI: Morocco is joining Portugal and Spain’s bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup finals – according to King Mohammed VI in person via a statement delivered by Sports Minister Chakib Benmoussa at African confederation event in Kigali, ahead of FIFA Congress.

The statement said: “I am announcing before your assembly that the Kingdom of Morocco has decided, with Spain and Portugal, to present a joint candidacy to host the 2030 World Cup.” What this may mean for Ukraine’s participation in the bid is not known.

Morocco has failed with past bids – for the finals of 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010 and 2026 – so this is more realistic. Joint voting support in congress from Europe and Africa would guarantee success.

However this does depend on FIFA and its regional confederatioons approving the concept of ‘cross-border’ hosting.

A bid from this upgraded trio would seriously threaten the pretensions of a four-day cohosting bid from South America where Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay want to bring the finals back for an appropriate centenary celebration.

A runoureed bid from Greece, Egypt and Saudi Arabia has never been confirmed. The Saudis are mostly likely to prefer to wait for a single bid of their own for 2034 which would fit in with FIFA’s continental rotation principle. The ultimate decision will be down to congress next year.

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