(Kigali) Morocco will participate in the bid of Spain and Portugal for the presentation of the 2030 World Cup, the African nation announced on Tuesday.

The announcement, which cast doubt on Ukraine’s candidacy, was made through a statement signed by King Mohammed VI and read at a meeting of the Confederation of African Football.

“The Kingdom of Morocco has decided, in collaboration with Spain and Portugal, to submit a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup,” the statement reads. This joint bid, unprecedented in the history of football, will unite Africa and Europe, the North and South of the Mediterranean and the African, Arab and Euro-Mediterranean worlds. »

Morocco had pledged to participate in the contest for 2030 more than four years ago, immediately after losing the vote for the 2026 tournament. Negotiations with the Iberian nations had been underway for some time, but Morocco n had never been officially included in the nomination so far.

Spain and Portugal were joined last October as European bidders by Ukraine, which may very well withdraw.

The Spanish soccer federation did not immediately confirm Morocco’s participation in the bid, saying federations from the three countries would meet in Rwanda on Wednesday before announcing possible changes.

Morocco, who caused an upset by finishing fourth at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, hosted the FIFA Club World Cup in February.

The hosts for the 2030 Worlds are expected to be chosen in September next year. Joint applications from South America and Europe are preferred. There is also talk of a Saudi-led bid involving nations from three continents.

Uruguay, hosts of the first World Cup in 1930, are part of South America’s centenary bid, along with Argentina, Chile and Paraguay.

Canada, the United States and Mexico will host the tournament in 2026.