The governments of Argentina and Uruguay have announced their support for a bid to host of the 2030 World Cup, hoping to mark the centenary of the famous tournament by bringing it back to the very first hosts.
Uruguay held the first ever World Cup in 1930, finishing champions of a 13-team tournament while Argentina finished runners-up. Since then however, the tournament has returned just three times to the football-mad continent – Brazil (1950), Chile (1962) and Argentina (1978) – although the Verdeamarelho will have hosting rights in three years’ time.
La Nacion reports that the respective chiefs of the country’s football associations will meet on Thursday to officially outline plans for a bid, but that a preliminary agreement to compete for the tournament has already been made. AFA head Julio Grondona told the newspaper that the two rivals will seek to share hosting duties in 19 years time.
“We have the co-operation of both countries in supporting the idea of holding the World Cup here in 2030. I believe that we can be well-placed to host it, we will just have to see what demands are put on us,” Grondona revealed on Wednesday evening. The head of Argentine football however was adamant that, unlike other recent hosts, the South Americans would not be held to ransom by FIFA’s demands.
“We would not hold a tournament which will enslave our country. If the demands are more than one can meet, it is best not to go through with it. I live in Sarandi, not on Avenida Libertador [a major road in Buenos Aires] and I can’t make a Libertador in Sarandi.”
Although it is still very early, some preliminary plans have already been prepared in the case of hosting the competition. River Plate’s Monumental stadium would be completely refurbished, presumably into an all-seater venue, while the bid would accelerate plans to finance a new Bombonera for Boca Juniors.
In Uruguay meanwhile, the Estadio Centenario would receive funding to become a five-star rated stadium, with other sites possible outside Montevideo in Paysandu, Maldonado and Rivero.
