Spain, Portugal in Talks with Morocco for Joint 2030 World Cup Bid

The discussions with Morocco come after the suspension of Andriy Pavelko, president of the Ukrainian Football Federation, who is under investigation for fraud and money laundering. He was arrested on November 29 for misappropriation of funds intended for the construction of an artificial turf football field factory. Pavelko, who denies these accusations, faces up to 12 years in prison, reports AS.

The Spanish government and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) consider the organization of the 2030 World Cup as a strategic objective. Spain’s candidacy is strongly supported by UEFA, even if other serious candidacies such as Greece, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are in the running. Spain and Portugal were considering integrating Morocco into the IV International, but FIFA did not approve an alliance between countries from different continents. But for the moment, "the two federations are working on the possible extension of the candidacy without having reached a final agreement".

However, the RFEF specifies that the possible entry of Morocco "does not replace Ukraine", explaining that these are two totally different and independent actions. The Federation adds that the presentation of the candidacy is the prerogative of the football federations of Portugal and Spain and not of their governments, who must avoid any interference in the internal affairs of the federations as is the case in Ukraine.