Morocco has announced that it will join Spain and Portugal in their bid to host the 2030 World Cup, replacing Ukraine in the process. This is the sixth time that Morocco has attempted to host the tournament, having previously bid for the 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010, and 2026 World Cups. If the joint bid is successful, it would mark the first time that a North African country has hosted World Cup matches.

One advantage of a cross-continental bid such as Spain, Portugal, and Morocco is that much of the infrastructure is already in place, with high-quality stadiums and transportation links already established. Furthermore, the proximity of the three countries would make travel easier for fans and teams alike, which could make the tournament more accessible for people around the world.

The 2030 World Cup will feature 48 teams, up from the current 32 teams, which will require more venues to be available. The joint bid by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco should alleviate some of the concerns around logistics and hosting capabilities that will come with the increased number of teams. This is similar to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across three countries – the United States, Canada, and Mexico – to accommodate the increased number of teams.

However, the joint bid will face stiff competition from other countries that are also vying to host the tournament. For example, a joint bid by Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay has been announced, with the countries capitalizing on the tournament’s 100th anniversary. Uruguay, which hosted the first-ever World Cup in 1930, is also part of this bid.

Other countries reportedly preparing a bid of their own include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Greece. With multiple countries vying to host the 2030 World Cup, it remains to be seen which bid will ultimately be successful.

FIFA World Cup Morocco Portugal Spain Ukraine