Political and football leaders in South America have signalled the continent’s determination to win host rights to the centenary World Cup in 2030, almost certainly in the face of testing opposition from China.
Horacio Cartes, state President of Paraguay, and South American confederation leader Alejandro Dominguez kicked off together what is so far an unofficial campaign via Twitter.
Cartes said: “I can confirm that we, the Presidents of Paraguay, Argentina [Mauricio Macri] and Uruguay [Tabare Vazquez] have agreed to fight for the nomination of 2030 football World Cup.”
Dominguez echoed: “First World Cup was played in South America in 1930. Our vision at CONMEBOL is [to bring] Mundial 2030 to the continent where it was born.”