Moroccan, Spanish and Portuguese football federations signed, Saturday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, a declaration of intent for the joint organization of the 2030 Football World Cup.
Signed by Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fernando Gomes, President of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) and Pedro Rocha, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), this declaration of intent constitutes one of the key stages of the bidding process to host the 2030 World Cup.
On this occasion, Lekjaa reiterated, on behalf of the national and international football family, his warm thanks to HM King Mohammed VI who surrounds sport in general and football in particular with His high solicitude.
“This is a single candidacy which brings together three countries and two continents. This World Cup will undoubtedly be an exception in the history of football, because it will allow us to reconnect with the civilizational heritage which brings together the three countries”, he said.
Morocco, Spain and Portugal will also have the opportunity to highlight a common past and future, he underlined, noting that the different components of the Moroccan people are mobilized behind HM the King, who was the first to announce, last March from Kigali, Morocco’s ambition to host the 2030 World Cup jointly with Spain and Portugal.
For his part, FPF president, Fernando Gomes, stressed that the three countries will have, between now and next June, the time necessary to prepare the official bid.
Stressing that his country has proposed three stages for this joint bid, he expressed his conviction that the 2030 World Cup will be “a benchmark in this area”.
“2030 will not only be a historic year, but a tripartite ambition which will determine the future of world football,” he highlighted. “We aim to organize an exceptional World Cup, the impact of which will be felt in the infrastructure of each country,” he pointed out.
As for the RFEF president, Pedro Rocha, he considered that this bid demonstrates “unity and solidarity” between the three nations.
“It is a unique opportunity for cooperation between three countries and two continents. The World Cup will generate a legacy for the entire planet,” he highlighted.
“We are committed to keeping all football fans informed of the latest developments in this matter,” he promised, expressing his deep gratitude to HM King Mohammed VI for the efforts that the Sovereign continues to deploy in view of football development.
The next step in the bid process for hosting the 2030 World Cup will be the submission by the three federations of bid agreements to FIFA by the end of next November.
The FIFA council, on October 4, unanimously agreed that the sole candidacy will be the combined bid of Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, which will host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
