Morocco to replace Ukraine in Spain–Portugal bid

Morocco is preparing to join Spain and Portugal in their bid to host the 2030 World Cup, replacing Ukraine, according to recent reports.

The Spain-Portugal-Ukraine bid was announced in October, but with the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, it seems increasingly unlikely that Ukraine will be able to host group-stage matches in seven years’ time.

In addition, the Ukrainian Football Association is facing uncertainty following the arrest of its president over allegations of fraud and money laundering. In contrast, Morocco declared its intention to bid for the 2030 tournament back in July 2018, and its proximity to Spain, as well as its membership of the Confederation of African Football, make it a potential vote winner.

The hosts for the 2030 World Cup will be selected at the 74th FIFA congress in 2024, with competition expected from other group bids involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greece, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile. The 2026 finals will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.