After the World Cup Finals are set to break new ground in Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022), not to mention the possibility of Chia in 2026, Uruguay and Argentina are hoping FIFA will return to their roots for the 2030 tournament, which will mark 100 years since the first World Cup was held in Montevideo. The two finalists from 1930 (Uruguay won 4-2) are launching a joint bid to convince FIFA to let them host 19 years from now, and although that may seem like a long way down the line we should remember that Qatar were awarded their tournament twelve years in advance.
Argentina And Uruguay To Launch Joint Bid For 2030 World Cup
The bid, it seems, will officially launch at the 2011 Copa América, which is to be hosted by Argentina. Sports Minister Claudio Morresi and his Uruguayan counterpart Hector Lescano will be heading the effort to bring the World Cup back to its birthplace, and they are (surprise!) thrilled to have the opportunity. Said Lescano:
Organizing a World Cup gives a chance to promote the countries, to promote tourism, culture, to boost infrastructure, transport, communications and nowadays it would be impossible for Uruguay to do it on its own, but jointly with Argentina, it’s different and a great chance.
A wonderful occasion to celebrate a hundred years of world competition of one of the most popular sports on Earth.
Do they deserve it? Yes. Argentina have the pedigree with a consistently excellent side, and Uruguay have plenty of history on their side too, not to mention the fact that it would be wonderful to mark the World Cup’s 100th anniversary by returning to where it all began. Each country has won the competition twice and hosted once. Will they get it? Even with FIFA’s bizarre voting rules, I think it would come as a big surprise if they went a different route - the opportunity to promote the sport’s history by going with a Uruguay/Argentina bid is just too great to ignore.
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