As the race to host the 2030 World Cup heats up, the Iberian bid with Morocco in tow is a force that has given the joint candidacy a significant edge, as it could prove decisive in the battle to secure votes from Football confederations in Europe and Africa, but also from other regions.
FIFA, the organization responsible for selecting the World Cup host, is divided into six confederations: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean), CONMEBOL (Ibero-America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe).
Each of the 211 countries within FIFA is entitled to one vote for the host election, and they typically vote as a block according to their confederations.
Spain and Portugal’s bid was initially backed by UEFA, but they lacked support from other confederations.
Morocco’s candidacy has gained the support of CAF, uniting Africa and Europe and increasing their chances of winning votes from Asia and the Arab countries, who would want another World Cup in their cultural territory.
Another factor that makes Morocco essential to the bid is FIFA’s revised format. Set to debut in 2026, it necessitates a greater number of stadiums and cities equipped to facilitate the hosting of matches, as well as providing suitable training and accommodation facilities.
Despite the quality of the bid submitted by Portugal and Spain, it ultimately failed to meet the demands of the new format.
With 48 teams scheduled to participate in the forthcoming World Cups, a significant increase of 16 teams compared to previous tournaments, along with an additional 40 games, totaling 104 matches, the need for Morocco’s venues becomes clear.
Prior to the inclusion of Morocco, Spain and Portugal announced their bid alongside Ukraine as a symbolic gesture. But the distance between Iberia and the Eastern European country would have proved problematic to voters.
Meanwhile, Morocco is Iberia’s next door neighbor. Rabat is the closer to Lisbon than any other European capital, and travel is particulary easy between the three nations – another factor that FIFA will take into consideration.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.