Ukraine, which is not expected to remain in the bid, joined Spain and Portugal in their long-running bid for European membership in October.
Morocco will compete for the right to stage the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
The announcement on Tuesday was made through a statement signed by King Mohammed VI and delivered at a meeting of the Confederation of African Football. This further casts doubt on Ukraine’s involvement in the bid.
“The Kingdom of Morocco has decided to present a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup,” the statement said.
“This unprecedented joint bid will bring together Africa and Europe, the northern and southern Mediterranean, as well as the African, Arab, and Euro-Mediterranean regions. It will also bring out the best in all of us – a combination of genius, creativity, knowledge, and means.”
After losing the vote for the 2026 competition, Morocco agreed to participate in the 2030 bid more than four years ago. Although it had long been in discussions with the Iberian countries, it was never formally a part of the proposal.
Ukraine, which is not expected to remain in the bid, joined Spain and Portugal in their long-running bid for European membership in October.
The Portuguese and Moroccan football federations will meet in Kigali on Wednesday, according to a spokesman for the Spanish football federation who did not name Ukraine.
The spokesperson added, “The presidents will reveal any news regarding the candidacy for the 2030 World Cup in Kigali.
At the competition in Qatar last year, Morocco shocked everyone by becoming the first Arab and African team to advance to the semifinals, where they fell to France. Morocco ultimately came in behind Croatia in the standings.
FIFA’s Club World Cup was held in Morocco in February of this year.
