Morocco launches bid to become second African country to host World Cup
March 16, 2023
AR-RAYYAN, QATAR - DECEMBER 06: Morocco players run to winning penalty goalscorer Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou as they beat Spain on penalties during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Morocco (0) and Spain (0) (Morocco win 3-0 on penalties) at Education City Stadium on December 06, 2022 in Ar-Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images)
North African state Morocco is hoping to become the second African country to host the FIFA World Cup.
This is after the Nation launched a joint bid with two other European nations, Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup.
Initially, Spain and Portugal were set to host the tournament alongside Ukraine.
It however seems the European nation pulled out granting Morocco the opportunity.
Moroccan sports Minister Chakib Benmoussa presented a letter signed by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI.
This had the details of the bid.
“I would like to announce that the Kingdom of Morocco has decided, together with Spain and Portugal, to present a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup,” he read from the letter, according to Reuters.
Benmoussa while at the Confederation of African Football President’s Outstanding Achievement Awards in Kigali, Rwanda, said that the bid was “unprecedented in football history.”
He added that it would “bring together Africa and Europe, the northern and southern Mediterranean, and the African, Arab and Euro-Mediterranean worlds,” he said. “It will also bring out the best in all of us — in effect a combination of genius, creativity, experience and means.”
This is not the only transcontinental bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Greece, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have their own bid while there is another bid by Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile.
The three country joint bid format is set to take place in 2026 with Canada, America and Mexico.
South Korea and Japan were the first countries to hold a joint World Cup in 2002.
It should be recalled that the Atlas Lions became the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals.
They meanwhile defeated both Spain and Portugal enroute to the semifinals.
There will be 48 teams competing in the new format up from the 32 countries.
And instead of the 64 games, there will now be 104 games.
There will also be 12 groups of 4 teams instead of the earlier proposed 16 of 3 teams.
“The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-place teams will advance to the round of 32. The move expands the competition from its projected 80 matches to a record 104.”