Spain & Portugal bid to co-host World Cup
Reuters - Monday 19 January 2009, 14:36
LISBON - The soccer federations of
Portugal and Spain on Monday signed the document formalising the
intention of the two Iberian countries to jointly host the 2018
or 2022 World Cup finals.
"We will create a joint commision to assess all FIFA
conditions," Portuguese Federation president Gilberto Madail
told reporters after signing the FIFA document with Spaniah
counterpart Angel Maria Villar.
The winning bid will be announced in December 2010.
European champions Spain and Portugal declared their
interest in hosting the tournament after FIFA said it would
welcome bids for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said Spain, alone or with
Portugal, were strong candidates to be hosts in 2018, as were
England and the Netherlands with Belgium.
Australia, China, Mexico and Russia have also expressed
interest.
Spain has not hosted the World Cup finals since 1982, but
Portugal built 10 new stadiums to host the European Championship
in 2004.
The 2010 World Cup will be held in South Africa while Brazil
will host the 2014 tournament.