South Americans launch 2023 bid with moving call for a return to World Cup roots
By Samindra Kunti
August 3 - It took about five years to get in place, but on Tuesday South America finally launched its bid to host the 2030 World Cup with an unprecedented coalition of Uruguay, Portugal Argentina, Paraguay and Chile vying to organize a global centenary celebration. finals in the region.
In 1930, Uruguay was the first country to host the World Cup. Only 13 nations participated and the hosts prevailed in the final against neighbors Argentina. One hundred years later, Uruguay wants to organize the competition again with other South American countries, highlighting the feeling of being the first hosts.
"We are in this emblematic place where the story began," said Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez during a press conference at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, venue for the first Cup final of the world. "It is not the project of a government but the dream of an entire continent."
The idea of a South American bid for the 2030 World Cup was first mooted by Uruguay and Argentina in 2017, then Chile and Paraguay joined the potential bid. The offer presented itself as a romantic choice.
The first World Cup was "thought, analyzed and put into practice here in Uruguay almost 100 years ago", said the president of the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF), Ignacio Alonso. “It has become the biggest sports festival in the world. We will work wholeheartedly to show FIFA and all of our colleagues that they owe a moral debt to the founders of 1930.”
"FIFA must bring the origin back to where football began," added Uruguay's sports secretary, Sebastián Bauzá.
But FIFA Council member Ignacio is realistic enough to understand that emotions alone will not win South America the hosting rights. "We can't just rely on sentimentality, we have to play our part and be ready."
In 2014, Brazil was the last country in South America to host the World Cup. Ten stadiums hosted 64 matches in a 32-team final. In 2026, however, the format of the tournament will change with 48 participating nations, which will significantly increase the load on the host nations. The United States, Mexico and Canada will host the 2026 tournament.
"We need to have a sustainable World Cup that leaves a legacy for all four countries," Bauza said.
The South Americans will be challenged by a joint offer from Spain and Portugal. The Spaniards hosted the World Cup in 1982 and Portugal hosted Euro 2004. Last February, the United Kingdom and Ireland withdrew their joint bid.
The bidding field so far could well be a test for ties between UEFA and Conmebol which have tightened following FIFA's proposal for a biennial World Cup.
>With Russia hosting the last World Cup in Europe in 2018 and Asia and North America hosting the next two editions of the tournament, UEFA will be keen to bring back the biggest tournament in the world. world on the Old Continent.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1659555532labto1659555532ofdlr1659555532owedi1659555532sni@i1659555532tnuk.1659555532ardni1659555532mas1659555532
By Samindra Kunti
August 3 - It took about five years to get in place, but on Tuesday South America finally launched its bid to host the 2030 World Cup with an unprecedented coalition of Uruguay, Portugal Argentina, Paraguay and Chile vying to organize a global centenary celebration. finals in the region.
In 1930, Uruguay was the first country to host the World Cup. Only 13 nations participated and the hosts prevailed in the final against neighbors Argentina. One hundred years later, Uruguay wants to organize the competition again with other South American countries, highlighting the feeling of being the first hosts.
"We are in this emblematic place where the story began," said Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez during a press conference at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, venue for the first Cup final of the world. "It is not the project of a government but the dream of an entire continent."
The idea of a South American bid for the 2030 World Cup was first mooted by Uruguay and Argentina in 2017, then Chile and Paraguay joined the potential bid. The offer presented itself as a romantic choice.
The first World Cup was "thought, analyzed and put into practice here in Uruguay almost 100 years ago", said the president of the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF), Ignacio Alonso. “It has become the biggest sports festival in the world. We will work wholeheartedly to show FIFA and all of our colleagues that they owe a moral debt to the founders of 1930.”
"FIFA must bring the origin back to where football began," added Uruguay's sports secretary, Sebastián Bauzá.
But FIFA Council member Ignacio is realistic enough to understand that emotions alone will not win South America the hosting rights. "We can't just rely on sentimentality, we have to play our part and be ready."
In 2014, Brazil was the last country in South America to host the World Cup. Ten stadiums hosted 64 matches in a 32-team final. In 2026, however, the format of the tournament will change with 48 participating nations, which will significantly increase the load on the host nations. The United States, Mexico and Canada will host the 2026 tournament.
"We need to have a sustainable World Cup that leaves a legacy for all four countries," Bauza said.
The South Americans will be challenged by a joint offer from Spain and Portugal. The Spaniards hosted the World Cup in 1982 and Portugal hosted Euro 2004. Last February, the United Kingdom and Ireland withdrew their joint bid.
The bidding field so far could well be a test for ties between UEFA and Conmebol which have tightened following FIFA's proposal for a biennial World Cup.
>With Russia hosting the last World Cup in Europe in 2018 and Asia and North America hosting the next two editions of the tournament, UEFA will be keen to bring back the biggest tournament in the world. world on the Old Continent.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1659555532labto1659555532ofdlr1659555532owedi1659555532sni@i1659555532tnuk.1659555532ardni1659555532mas1659555532
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