Ukraine and Poland consider joint bid to host future FIFA World Cup
Matvii Bidnyi (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is considering a joint bid with Poland to host the FIFA World Cup. The idea could potentially become a reality no earlier than the 2040s, according to Youth and Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi’s statement to Politico.
Following the Euro 2012 example
Matvii Bidnyi said Kyiv is interested in exploring the possibility of submitting a joint bid with Poland to host the World Cup.
“The nearest open date for the World Cup is somewhere in the 2040s … so we need to plan for this perspective right now,” said Bidnyi, as he confirmed his country was interested in exploring a joint-hosting bid. Spain, Portugal and Morocco are hosting in 2030, and Saudi Arabia is the lone host in 2034,” Bidnyi said.
Ukraine and Poland already have experience jointly hosting a major football tournament. In 2012, the countries co-hosted the European Championship.
According to the minister, it would make sense to repeat this successful experience. He also believes such a bid could attract investors’ attention to Ukraine.
Bidnyi separately stressed that an official bid should come from the sports community or football federations. In other words, Ukraine is currently only interested in exploring the possibility, and there is no formal bid to FIFA yet.
What does Poland think about the idea?
The Polish side told Politico that Poland’s Ministry of Sport and Tourism is not currently negotiating with Ukraine about jointly hosting the World Cup. Therefore, at this point, it is more accurate to describe the idea as a Ukrainian initiative and a potential project rather than an established joint bid.
The next World Cup in 2030 will be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, while Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup.
