By Euro 2028, the UK and Ireland withdrew from the 2030 World Cup

Published on 02/07/2022 14:14

The football federations of the countries that make up the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), as well as Ireland, on Monday, rejected the request to host the 2030 World Cup, and the entities issued a joint official statement in which they indicated that they will officially enter the race to host the 2028 edition of the European Cup, which Local officials had already been expecting it in recent weeks.

The official note noted that “hosting the European Cup offers a return similar (to the World Cup) on investments. The European Championship results in a much lower cost and the potential for early benefits to be realized.”

The federations signatory to the text ensure that they have conducted an “extensive feasibility study” on the chances of hosting a major international competition, and therefore decided to choose the European Cup, “the third largest sporting event in the world”.

The official statement said the analysis included “the economic impact of the tournament, the political football landscape and the potential costs” of hosting a major international tournament. “It will be a great opportunity to demonstrate the true impact of hosting a world championship, drive positive change and leave a lasting legacy,” said the Euro 2028 statement.

The two federations indicated that they will continue to cooperate with the governments of the United Kingdom and Ireland to prepare the next steps for the bid to host the continental championship. The application deadline for the 2030 World Cup will close next month, with headquarters to be announced in September this year.

To date, the interests expressed by Spain and Portugal, which will jointly organize the tournament, as well as Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay – the South American country that hosted the first edition of the World Cup, in 1930, are preserved.