James Warren
THE Royal Spanish Football Association has announced plans to join forces with Portugal in a bid for the 2030 Football World Cup.
Ahead of Spain’s goalless draw in last night’s friendly against Portugal, the two countries confirmed official plans to share the global event.
Luis Rubiales, president of the RFEF, confirmed the bid to Spanish media on Tuesday.
“This agreement means an important step for this common project of federations, but also for the countries,” he said.
Initially, a three-way bid was mooted with Morocco but the North African country now has its own plans.
“Football is a magnificent tool to inject strength and will to overcome these moments of great difficulty,” added Rubiales.
“Few things can be more exciting than the opportunity to organise a World Cup and we cannot think of a better partner than Portugal. We go hand in hand with the Portuguese Federation.”
Bids are due to begin in 2022 with a decision on the hosts to be made by FIFA two years later.
There is also a four-way effort from Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile.
Spain has had mixed fortunes in World Cup fixtures, with 30 victories since the competition began in 1934 and lifting the title in 2010 in South Africa.
