Uruguay, Argentina to seek joint 2030 World Cup bid.

[forest444]

Argentine President Mauricio Macri and his Uruguayan counterpart Tabaré Vázquez agreed yesterday to start working together on a joint bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030.

This proposal is not new: it was first formally introduced by former Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and former Uruguayan President José “Pepe” Mujica in August 2011.

Analysts believe the joint Uruguay-Argentine bid has a good chance of winning as 2030 will be the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup, which took place in Uruguay (the last one thus far hosted by Uruguay). Argentina hosted its first and so far only World Cup in 1978; both countries won the World Cup in each occasion.

Macri had arrived at Anchorena Ranch — the Uruguayan presidential country retreat — by helicopter at 1pm, accompanied by Cabinet Chief Marcos Peña, Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra, and Lower House Speaker Emilio Monzó. “We’ve decided to commit ourselves to filing a joint bid. We want this connection not only to strengthen our economic relationship but also our sports and culture,” Macri noted.

Relations between Argentina and Uruguay had been strained over Uruguay's approval a decade ago of a large UPM-Kymmene (formerly Botnia) wood pulp mill on the Uruguay River (which both countries share). As recently as April 2014, Former Argentine Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman had announced that Argentina would take the dispute back to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague after UPM-Kymmene announced plans to increase output at the plant.

Macri, however, stated that he wants to leave tensions in the past. “We are two people united by our history and affections, and we have a future to share,” he said.

At: http://buenosairesherald.com/article/206321/uruguay-argentina-to-seek-world-cup-bid

[Judi Lynn]

1. Interesting developement, isn't it?

It was so odd that in Brazil, political sleazeballs organized a number of people to pitch fits over having the World Cup there, creating real upheaval and turmoil Dilma Rousseff really didn't need, considering they have been harassing her from her first day in office, as well, just like Cristina Fernandez, and, of course, our own Barack Obama.

Racist scum.

I wonder if they are going to dare go after Mauricio Macri? Of course not, it's the fascists who do these things. He will simply send out the police to murderize them, just like his fascist heroes.

[forest444]

2. Murderize? He'll Massacri them!

In all seriousness, I doubt the joint bid will succeed given FIFA's recent history of allowing enticement$ to make the decision for them (hence Qatar 2022).

FIFA is, as you may know, currently entertaining bids for 2026 - the choice for which won't be announced until almost two years from now (my guess would be Canada, although the Australia/New Zealand joint bid looks good too). Accordingly, the selection process for the '30 games won't be until 2021 or so - by which time Macri will probably, and I dare say thankfully, no longer be in office.

The choice of an Argentine/Uruguayan joint bid is compelling in that, as the article mentioned, 2030 is the centennial of the very first FIFA World Cup - held (and won) by Uruguay in 1930. Of course, given the scale and costs of a modern World Cup it would be almost impossible for Uruguay - Latin America's least populous country - to host the tournament alone. Which is where Argentina comes in.

Argentina, you'll recall, already hosted a World Cup in 1978 (which, although closely associated with the dictatorship, was actually awarded to Argentina during Juan Perón's brief last presidency in 1974). The country has a lot more infrastructure today - both public and private - than it did in 1978, and would be more than ready to host the championship even if it were held there in 2018. Uruguay is likewise ready for its share of the hosting duties should the joint bid succeed.

I should note however that Athens had been thought of as the clear favorite to be chosen as host of the 1996 Olympics - and for the same reason Uruguay is for the 2030 World Cup: because '96 was the centennial of the first modern Olympics (held in Athens in 1896).

But as we all now know, Atlanta was chosen because history and symbolism were trumped by (wouldn't you know it) enticement$ - and the IOC's Samaranch was squeaky clean compared to today's FIFA. So will the World Cup centennial be handled like the Olympics centennial? Your guess is as good as mine.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Good one! That will stick in my mind as long as he's the President.

Very interesting aspects to consider in this decision.

It really would be nice to see it go to Uruguay/Argentina, especially if Argentina had a sane, good person back in the Presidency.

(It really doesn't seem possible to me that the sport in the Americas has been that big for 100 years, by 2030. Wow.)

Thanks for the information.