Morocco's Impact on the 2030 World Cup Bid
In a recent revelation, former president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, emphasized the pivotal role Morocco played in securing the organization of the 2030 World Cup. During his appearance on the program "Chiringuito," Rubiales outlined the strategic discussions that surrounded the bid, highlighting Morocco's influence in strengthening the chances of their joint file with Spain and Portugal.
Rubiales explained that the initial phase of consultations was based on the principle of having a single candidate from each continent. Europe, in particular, was unified in its approach, with the 55 UEFA member federations agreeing to support one European candidate to avoid internal competition. This unity was essential as the European bid received substantial backing from key figures within football's decision-making bodies, including the Vice President of UEFA, who was also the head of the Portuguese Football Federation. This support provided a significant edge, and the team was confident about surpassing the English bid in the first round.
However, the emergence of a strong competitor, notably the Saudi bid, altered the landscape of the competition. Rubiales indicated that this shift made the alliance with Morocco essential to bolster their prospects of winning the World Cup hosting rights. He noted that Morocco holds considerable weight within continental and international football organizations due to its influential presence in the African Football Confederation and its membership on FIFA's Executive Committee, enabling it to rally nearly fifty votes from African federations.
By combining European votes (55) with African votes (55), Rubiales asserted that they could potentially secure a total of 110 votes, a figure that would significantly increase their chances of winning the bid for the prestigious tournament. He also disclosed that he personally led a vigorous campaign to promote the bid, visiting around 50 countries with a team member, despite initially lacking official support compared to the English bid, which had a budget of £12 million.
In closing, Rubiales shared that he often communicated with governmental officials in Spain, including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to convey the importance of the bid. He found Morocco equally committed to making the project a success, underlining the necessity of heeding the expertise of those well-versed in such matters.
As reported by alyaoum24.com.
