Morocco have joined Spain and Portugal in a three-way bid to host the 2030 Fifa World Cup according to a letter read by the country’s sport minister.
Ukraine, who were invaded by Russia in February 2022, had initially joined Spain and Portugal’s bid in October.
It is not clear what will happen to Ukraine’s role after the announcement by Morocco at the latest FIFA Congress but it has been reported there were concerns due to the ongoing war and governance issues at the Ukraine Football Association.
Morocco caused the stir at the Qatar2022 FIFA World Cup as they became the first African side to reach the semi-finals where they lost to France before being beaten by Croatia in the third-place play-off.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI sent the announcement in a letter read by the country’s minister of sport Chakib Benmoussa in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda where FIFA is hosting its 73rd congress.
According to the official statement, this unprecedented joint bid, with Spain and Portugal, will bring together Africa and Europe, the northern and southern Mediterranean, and the African, Arab and Euro-Mediterranean worlds while also bringing out “the best in all of us – in effect a combination of genius, creativity, experience and means.”
Morocco missed out to South Africa in the race to host the 2010 World Cup.
Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay have also submitted a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.