CIt is not the project of a government, but the dream of a continent”declared the president of Conmebol, Alejandro Dominguez, surrounded by the heads of the federations of the four countries.
“We are in this emblematic place where the story began”he launched during a press conference at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo where the 1930 final between Uruguay and Argentina (4-2) was played. “There will be other World Cups, but 100 years will only be celebrated once”he said, grateful that he could not “just resorting to sentimentality”most “to be able to do it”.
Details of the proposed bid have not been disclosed and will be presented in May 2023 to FIFA, which is to designate the host country(ies) in 2024.
“We need to make a sustainable World Cup that leaves a legacy for these four countries”, said the Uruguayan Minister of Sports, Sebastian Bauza, indicating only that the project will be articulated around 14 stadiums, because in 2030, as from 2026, the number of participants will be increased to 48 teams, against 32 currently. In Qatar for the 2022 edition (November 21-December 18), the 64 matches will be played in 8 stadiums.
With this move to 48 teams, “it is more difficult and costly for a country to be a candidate alone”pointed out Dominguez, and “a joint organization makes it possible to reduce the level of investment required”he said without revealing a budget estimate.
This could be the sixth edition of the World Cup disputed in South America, after those of 1930 (Uruguay), 1950 (Brazil), 1962 (Chile), 1978 (Argentina) and 2014 (Brazil).
But Spain and Portugal are serious contenders for 2030 and have already announced their joint candidacy for a year. Besides Russia-2018, the last World Cup on European soil dates back to Germany-2006.
The United Kingdom and Ireland have abandoned the idea of another joint candidacy to focus on Euro-2028.
Morocco has not yet materialized its desire to become the second African country to host a World Cup after South Africa in 2010. There are also talks for an Israeli candidacy alongside the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
United States, Mexico and Canada will host the 2026 edition, the 23rd World Cup in history.