Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay officially submitted a joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.
While doing so, the four South American countries called for the tournament to return “where football was born”, 100 years after the first World Cup was held in Montevideo.
During a ceremony in Buenos Aires at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) headquarters, officials of the four countries were joined by Alejandro Dominguez, president of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).
Dominguez said he was hopeful FIFA could show a “gesture of greatness” towards the region and allow it to organise the tournament.
“The 2030 World Cup is not just another World Cup, it deserves a celebration with recognition for 100 years,” he said.
“We are convinced that FIFA has an obligation to honour the memory of those who came before us and believed in greatness and made the first World Cup.”
AFA president Claudio Tapia added: “As world champions, we carry out this launch which is the dream of all South Americans. Not only on the centenary of the first edition, but because of the passion with which we live football.”
Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez made a statement on his official Twitter account saying that Bolivia would be asked to join “this dream”.
After the first edition in Uruguay, Argentina hosted the World Cup in 1978 and Chile in 1962, while Paraguay has never hosted the sport’s biggest competition.
The South American bid will compete with Spain-Portugal, who have signed a joint bid agreement, plus possible 2030 bids from Morocco and Saudi Arabia.(Reuters/NAN)
