the United Kingdom and Ireland give up, one less competitor for Morocco
The Football Federations of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland decided on Monday not to apply for the organization of the 2030 World Cup which Morocco aims to host, to focus on a joint candidacy to the organization of Euro 2028.
The UK government had committed almost £2.8m to a feasibility study of the bid including an analysis of the economic impact, the political landscape of football and the likely costs of hosting major international tournaments.
Following this study, the football associations of the Republic of Ireland, England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland decided « to focus on an official bid to host the ‘UEFA Euro 2028’.
“Organizing a Euro offers a similar return on investment, with a European tournament having a much lower cost to organize and the benefits of which can be realized more quickly,” they say.
“It would be an honor and a privilege to collectively host Euro 2028 and to welcome all of Europe,” added a statement from the five federations, stressing that “it would also be a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the true impact of the hosting a world-class football tournament by sparking positive change and leaving a lasting legacy in our communities.”
The UK government has indicated it supports the decision of the five football associations and added that it remains ‘passionate about bringing a World Cup to the UK and Ireland when the time is right’.
All the associations say they will continue to « collaborate » with their government partners for the next steps.
As a reminder, Morocco plans to present its candidacy to host the high mass of world football. Candidates including the Spain-Portugal duo and a South American grouping made up of Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay will also be in the running.
Bids to host the 2030 World Cup must be submitted before the FIFA Congress meeting, before the end of 2022.
