The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) confirmed today that Ukraine will join their joint bid to organize the World Cup in 2030, in a project that has the “unconditional support of the UEFA” in an “exceptional situation”.
The president of the Ukrainian Football Federation, Andriy Pavelko, was present at the announcement in the Swiss city of Nyon, along with the headlines of the Spanish, Luis Rubiales, and the Portuguese, Fernando Gomes.
The two presidents of the Iberian federations understand that “there is nothing better than a World Cup to strongly transmit a message that will serve as a source of inspiration in the future.”
“I am convinced that all of Spanish society will be proud of the important legacy that this candidacy leaves for history. Each one of us represents our countries separately, but together we represent the power of transformation that football has in society,” said Rubiales at the press conference to present the project.
Rubiales confirmed that there was prior consultation with the Spanish institutions. “The Government and the Royal House were consulted, after talks with UEFA, and then we started to take steps with the Ukrainian federation. All have shown maximum interest in supporting this candidacy. Any government and people around the world will take this bid as their own.”
«The institutional headquarters is Madrid, the administrative headquarters will continue to be Lisbon, and now the Ukrainian federation will work with us. We are at a very early stage. The technical details will be known in the coming months,” said Rubiales.
For the president of the Spanish federation, “this candidacy has a tremendous symbology”, and explained: “We see how families and friends welcome refugees who are outside their countries and I am convinced that these families will grow up remembering this historical moment, and with the hope that one day this moment of peace will come. If football can help anything, even 1%, we are satisfied.
The new project does not alter the established roadmap: Spain maintains its eleven headquarters and Portugal will continue with three, says the federal statement, which highlights the support for the proposal “both from the Government and the Head of State; and will meet all delivery deadlines in accordance with FIFA’s order book.
Spain and Portugal have been collaborating for nearly three years and preparing their candidacy together, to which they have decided to incorporate Ukraine, as a strong message of support and solidarity for the Ukrainian people, great football fans, which also reinforces the Portuguese-Spanish candidacy .
Information of: EFE Agency
