Uruguay likely to host World Cup 2030

London, July 16 :

Uruguay are favourites to host the FIFA World Cup 2030 despite the South American country’s President Jose Mujica calling the FIFA hierarchy “old sons of b*****s”.

With Russia hosting the 2018 edition and Qatar 2022, the US has been earmarked for the 2026 World Cup, according to Daily Mail.

However, since Uruguay is a small country, with a population of only just over 3.3 million, there are some reservations in the footballing circles.

For this reason FIFA want the 2030 World Cup to be co-hosted by Argentina to mark the competition’s centenary.

“FIFA wishes to celebrate the World Cup’s 100 years in Argentina and Uruguay, I can confirm that,” AFA president Julio Grondona, who is also FIFA’s senior vice-president, told Argentina’s Radio 10 earlier this month as reported by ESPN.

“(An agreement) has been signed by the two associations (AFA and Uruguay’s AUF). What will we do? We’ll see but surely something of quality.”

Japan and South Korea World Cup in 2002 is the only time the tournament was co-hosted by two countries.

Uruguayan capital of Montevideo had hosted the first World Cup finals in 1930 where the hosts beat Argentina in the final.

(IANS)