01 September, 2017
Political and football leaders in South America have signalled the continent's determination to win host rights to the centenary World Cup in 2030, nearly certainly in the face of testing opposition from China.
"For Conmebol, it's priority No.1 to work toward returning the World Cup in 2030 to where it originated", Alejandro Dominguez said on Thursday after meeting in Asuncion with Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes, reports Efe.
Argentina remained outside the automatic qualification places for next year's FIFA World Cup after a goalless draw with Uruguay while Paraguay defeated Chile 3-0.
And Uruguay's director of sports Fernando Caceres said later in the day to The Associated Press that Chile had also shown interest in joining the South American bid. And Chile may come on board too.
Argentina and Uruguay, which was the original World Cup host in 1930, have always been expected to seek hosting rights for a tournament likely to feature 48 teams playing in at least 12 stadiums.
The agreement to submit a joint bid was made possible by the good relations among the Presidents of those three South American nations, Argentine President Mauricio Macri and Uruguayan head of state Tabare Vazquez, Dominguez said.
Argentina and Uruguay, who met in the first World Cup final in 1930 when the latter were hosts, have always been expected to be granted hosting rights for 2030 with a Chinese bid likely to come four years later. It's likely the majority of matches would be in Argentina, which is the largest country and has the most football stadiums.
