Motsepe Backs Morocco To Host WC With Spain & Portugal

Confederation of African Football secretary general Veron Masengo-Omba has emphasized why CAF have backed Morocco to its bid with two Iberian countries – Spain and Portugal to bid for the FIFA World Cup 2030.

Late on Thursday, CAF along with member associations and its executives, supported by its president Patrice Motsepe, confirmed the backing of Morocco to be the joint host of the World Cup.

This after Morocco, who stunned the world by reaching the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-final – the first nation from the African continent to do so, initially announced at the 73rd FIFA Congress in Kigali, that it is bidding to host the FIFA World Cup 2030 in partnership with Spain and Portugal.

“That is the intention from the president (Mr Motsepe), that all the 54 member associations support Morocco,” said Masengo-Omba in Durban in the inaugural CAF African School Football Championship that is ongoing in Durban.

“The president, during the meeting (on Wednesday) that the only candidate we have is Morocco and of course it is his duty to support them.”

Motsepe added on the CAF website: “The unanimous decision that was taken by the CAF Executive Committee to support Morocco’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2030 means that the bid of Morocco is now the bid of the African Continent.

“We are now focusing on ensuring that Africa once more hosts the FIFA World Cup and are committed to working together with all Football National Associations and Confederations to make this happen.”        

CAF, this year, reverted back to a two-legged final of the Champions League, having struggled to find nations who have expressed an interest to host the finals and after the controversy around last year’s final, when champions Wydad had a home game in Casablanca. CAF Confederation Cup will also be reverted to the two-legged event, unlike it was with one game.

This after Morocco came under criticism from then Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane, who was not pleased that Morocco was hosting the Champions League final last year when Wydad Casablanca from Morocco were in the final.

However, according to CAF, there was a little interest from other member associations to express an interest to host the finals of either competition, and Morocco was the only option left after Senegal pulled out in the last minute. South Africa did show an interest but did not put a bid in writing.

“We have a lot of challenges in Africa,” Masengo-Omba replied to iDiski Times.

“To play in one venue, you have the backing of the transportation – and also it’s lots of challenges. We had to push the executive committee to decide to play home and away matches.”

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Last month, it marked two years since Motsepe was appointed as the CAF President in March 2021, with Masengo-Omba saying “It feels like it was yesterday and a lot has been done. We increased the prize money in the Chan, the Women’s Champions League. Yes, a lot has been done but we have to continue.” 

Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).