Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay submitted a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup on Tuesday, marking a call for the tournament to return “football football ” 100 years after the first World Cup took place in Montevideo.
During a ceremony at the Argentine Football Association (AFA), officials from the four countries joined by Alejandro Dominguez, president of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), who said that he hopes FIFA can show a “gesture of greatness” toward the continent and allow it to host the tournament.
“The 2030 World Cup is not another World Cup, it deserves a celebration with recognition for 100 years,” Dominguez 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 will be asked to join “this dream”.
Uruguay hosted the first world cup in 1930, Argentina hosted the 1978 edition and Chile in 1962, while Paraguay has never been a host of football biggest competition.
The South American countries will compete with Spain-Portugal, who have signed a joint bid agreement, plus possible 2030 bids from Morocco and Saudi Arabia.