In a landmark event, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain have officially submitted their joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. This significant step forward in their campaign was marked by the presentation of the comprehensive bid book to FIFA President Gianni Infantino at a special event held at FIFA’s Paris offices. The Presidents of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the Portuguese Football Federation, and the Royal Spanish Football Federation came together to deliver the detailed proposal.
The bid, encapsulated by the slogan YallaVamos, aims to advance football globally under the theme “for football, for the world, for tomorrow.” This campaign has already garnered significant attention, with tens of thousands of followers on social media, showcasing widespread support.
What makes this bid particularly historic is its proposal to host the first-ever FIFA World Cup across two continents. The collaborative effort is designed to bridge cultural divides, creating a welcoming environment for fans and visitors from diverse backgrounds. It also emphasizes a commitment to sustainability, innovation, investment, and social impact, promising a legacy that will benefit future generations.
The bid book, meticulously prepared, outlines comprehensive plans for transportation, accommodation, and security. It also details the proposed host cities and stadiums across Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. The bid is further supported by an impressive lineup of football ambassadors, including legends such as Luis Figo, Andres Iniesta, Nourredine Naybet, Emmanuel Adebayor, Cristiano Ronaldo, Achraf Hakimi, Dolores Silva, Ghizlane Chebbak, Alvaro Morata, Irene Paredes, and Yassine Bounou.
The decision on the host for the 2030 FIFA World Cup will be made by a vote of the FIFA Congress on December 11, 2024. This bid promises to set a new standard for future tournaments, with its innovative approach and commitment to uniting the world through football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his enthusiasm for the bid, stating, “Your three countries have already given a lot to football, with great passion, organizational skills, and a shared vision of what football and its values should be. It’s fantastic that you have united two continents in the dream to organize the FIFA World Cup. Football Unites the World and you are proving it with this bid.”
During the Paris event, leaders from the three Football Federations elaborated on their vision. Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, emphasized the historic nature of the bid and its potential to unite people globally while instilling pride in Africans. He said, “We are proud and honored to deliver such a historic bid for our three countries, in accordance with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. We are truly convinced that our bid will constitute a heritage for today’s generations and a legacy for those of tomorrow. We want the 2030 FIFA World Cup to unite people from all over the world and make all Africans proud.”
Fernando Gomes, President of the Portuguese Football Federation, highlighted the bid’s focus on environmental sustainability, inclusion, and diversity. He noted, “The bid book delivered here today anticipates an agenda for the future. This is a bid which includes environmental aspects as a structuring pillar of the event, a bid which combines the needs of the competition with the expectations of FIFA World Cup host cities, and a bid which promotes inclusion and diversity for all. This is the basis on which our entire proposal is based!”
Álvaro de Miguel, speaking on behalf of the President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Pedro Rocha, reflected on Spain’s historical connection with the FIFA World Cup and the bid’s potential to connect generations. “42 years ago, our country organized its only FIFA World Cup to date – Spain 1982. Today, more than 40 percent of our population were not born when that happened. The FIFA World Cup 2030 will unite those generations that lived through it and those that did not. And it will also unite three countries and two continents, leaving an intergenerational, international, and intercontinental legacy.”
The joint bid by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain represents a unique opportunity to showcase football’s unifying power. It promises to create a FIFA World Cup that transcends borders and cultures, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. As the world awaits the FIFA Congress vote, the anticipation and excitement surrounding this historic bid continue to build.
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