Spain And Portugal Officially Offer To Host The 2030 World Cup

Photo illustration (Source: Antara)

JAKARTA - Spain and Portugal have officially submitted a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

"The governments of Spain and Portugal would like to express their desire and commitment to host the 2030 World Cup," read the agreement signed by Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The two prime ministers signed their agreement in the presence of Spain's King Felipe VI and Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Friday, June 4 at the Atletico Madrid Stadium just before the kick-off of the Euro 2020 warm-up match between the two countries.

The match also marked the centenary of Portugal's first international match, following the 3-1 defeat to Spain in Madrid in December 1921. Both teams posed on the pitch wearing T-shirts with the words "Vamos2030".

"Today we signed the commitment of the two federations to work together for the World Cup," said Portuguese Football Federation president Fernando Gomes.

Gomes and his Spanish partner Luis Rubiales endorsed a deal signed last October to promote a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

"Message to national federations: if you give us trust, when you come to our country, you will find an unforgettable experience," Rubiales said, Friday, June 4.

Meanwhile, FIFA is planning to choose the 2030 host in 2024. In addition to Spain and Portugal, bids to co-host the 2030 World Cup were also submitted by England-Ireland and Argentina-Uruguay-Paraguay-Chile.

Uruguay's submission coincides with the centenary of the celebration of the first World Cup, which was played in Uruguay.