Football: despite the Rubiales affair, Spain, Portugal and Morocco still want to organize the 2030 World Cup

Pedro Rocha, who takes over as interim head of the Spanish federation (RFEF) after the suspension and then resignation of former boss Luis Rubiales for forcibly kissing world champion Jennifer Hermoso, met his counterparts on Saturday in Madrid Moroccans, Fouzi Lekjaa, and Portuguese, Fernando Gomes, the RFEF said in a press release on Sunday.

“We are aware of the great responsibility we have, because we are facing a historic opportunity,” said Fouzi Lekjaa, whose country joined the Iberian duo in recent months.

“Our candidacy is very solid,” insisted Fernando Gomes, believing that in it “two continents, two cultures and a common passion for football will meet.”

Pedro Rocha further assured that the three countries were moving forward “together with the objective of presenting a very good project, stronger than ever with the integration of Morocco”. A next meeting of the three federation presidents is scheduled for October 4 in Rabat.

After the turmoil caused by the Rubiales affair, the Spanish Secretary of State for Sports, Víctor Francos, announced that he would contact Fifa so that everything that happened “in no way affects the candidacy” for the organization of the 2030 World Cup.

Luis Rubiales himself stressed in his resignation letter on September 10 that his departure should “contribute to the stability that will allow Europe and Africa to remain united in the dream of 2030.”

In 2030, the World Cup will celebrate its centenary. The first edition, in 1930, was organized and won by Uruguay, which is also a candidate to organize the 2030 World Cup alongside Argentina, Paraguay and Chile.

Fifa will award the 2030 World Cup in December 2024.