Ukraine in joint bid with Spain and Portugal for 2030 FIFA World Cup

President Zelensky has given permission for Ukraine to join Spain and Portugal in move to host tournament.

Ukraine would host one group at the 2030 tournament. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Ukraine is set to join Spain and Portugal in their bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Ukraine would host one of the groups in the tournament under the plan, which is understood to have been sanctioned by Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky and the governments of Spain and Portugal, The Times said.

Although security assurances would be needed, the expectation is that, by 2030, Russia’s invasion will have been over for some time and the rebuilding of the country will be fully under way, the report added. 

“The Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) have incorporated the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) into the Iberian Bid to organise the 2030 World Cup,” the Spanish football federation said in a statement.

The 2022 World Cup will begin on November 20 in Qatar, while the 2026 edition will be played in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.