Ask Hosts For The 2030 World Cup To Respect The Heritage Of Pele And Maradona, President CONMEBOL: FIFA Don't Focus Money

Illustration of the World Cup (Twitter @fifaworldcup)

JAKARTA - The 2022 World Cup has not yet ended, the competition to host the 2030 edition has heated up. South America has even hinted at being ready to advance as the organizer of the 2030 World Cup as well as marking the hundredth anniversary of the event.

The President of the South American Football Federation (CONMEBOL), Alejandro Dominguez, even loudly asked FIFA to appreciate Pele and Diego Maradona's legacy. The trick, by giving them a share in the 2030 World Cup.

FIFA will only decide who will host in the final in 2024. However, there are already rumors that "money" will be very decisive.

Dominguez hopes that doesn't happen and says that the focus on "money" should be reduced, as reported by Antara via AFP.

Uruguay, which started the World Cup final with 13 teams in 1930, has joined Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay to jointly bid to host the 2030 World Cup with 48 teams participating.

Their main rivals are bids with Spain, Portugal, and Ukraine, which have the support of European football's governing body UEFA. Another report says Saudi Arabia is also planning to launch a joint offer for Egypt and Greece.

"The question is for FIFA - what are they planning with the history that Pele has made and then Maradona?" he said.

"It should really come back to its roots because football isn't just about money. It's not about competition who spends the most money on the World Cup."

"It should also be about recognizing who would allow this party to be held," he continued.

Dominguez said CONMEBOL also proposed that Brazil replace its national team costume in honor of Pele, 82, who was hospitalized this month after he struggled with cancer.

The logo on the Brazilian jersey has five stars at the top as a marker of every win the country has on the World Cup stage and Pele is on the winning team three times.

Dominguez said the proposal was for Brazil to "turn their three stars into three hearts, in respect of the legend."