“I don’t want to be me to say.” “The government will assess.” “I don’t want to promote anything about it.” These are phrases that they heard on Wednesday, in the city of football, about the financial return that the country will have to organize the 2030 Football World cup, attributed to the Iberian-Marrocine candidacy through the voting in the FIFA Congress.
In the city of football, in the celebration of the victory of Portugal, Spain and Morocco in the race to the organization of the World Cup, the event was not without big news – this candidacy competed alone, so it was known everyone already knew he would be the Winner in the FIFA Vote.
Therefore, the interest was to investigate something more than that, which is what kind of economic returns there will be for the country. Pedro Duarte, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, and António Laranjo, coordinator of the candidacy, did not want to commit to values. The first one says it doesn’t know the values yet and the second one does, but doesn’t reveal them.
The representative of the government put the ball into the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF): “There are studies developed by the FPF, but I don’t want to say.” “In the government, we will make our assessment, but we will show all the indicators we have, given the investment, that the return will be very favorable,” he said, without promoting values.
António Laranjo pointed out that the study was carried out by an independent entity. But that’s all. “I don’t want to use it anymore. Let’s make it public soon.”
The Minister even indicated that the government is even available to invest. As? We don’t know either – now. “We can organize the event without meaningful investment. The state is committed to the success of the event and is not out of any necessary investment, but it will always be residual. Eventually some investment will be required, but this is natural in the modernization of the infrastructure. The necessary investment against the return in the end will be very positive”.
Upfinal in the light? For now, no
What other news could there be from this event? It might potentially be the confirmation or the denial that Portugal will receive one of the semi-finals of the World Cup, approaching the statute of morocco in this candidacy, or weather it will be in a third level of relevance.But that too had to be clarified.
Orange referred the decision to FIFA. “In the candidacy, Portugal is available to get semi-finals.But the decision is now up to FIFA,” he said. He said that there will be no decision soon: “The decision should not be very close to the World Cup.”
The Luz Stadium is the only one with conditions to get a semi-final, which requires at least 60,000 places, and Laranjo says that the expansion from 65,000 to 70,000, which Benfica president recently announced, can help with him. “FIFA does not fail to consider it,” he believes.
Dragon with improvements
The biggest news, and still entirely, is that André Villas-Boas, the president of FC porto, who was also present at the event, announced that the Dragon Stadium will be modernized.
“We are counting on major infrastructure improvements at the stadium.Everything will be improved in terms of experience for the Adept on the Dragon. Cabins, hospitality, services and accessibility will improve,” he told reporters.
The final grade for Pedro Duarte, who took the opportunity to talk about multiculturalism.“It’s about the best of our people. We are still a people open to other cultures and social, cultural and economic dynamics. We are talking about a request with a brother country [Espanha] And one from another continent [Marrocos]who has cultural distances, but with whom we had an exceptional relationship. “
How can Portugal ensure lasting infrastructure improvements from the 2030 FIFA World Cup?
Interview for Time.news: An Insight into Portugal’s Hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup
Interviewer (Editor, Time.news): Welcome, everyone, to this special interview where we delve into Portugal’s upcoming role as a host for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, as part of the Iberian-Moroccan bid. Today, we have Dr.Ana Silva, a sports economics expert, joining us. Thank you for being here, Dr. Silva.
Dr. Ana Silva: Thank you for having me! It’s grate to be here to discuss such an exciting topic.
Editor: Let’s start with the recent news surrounding this victory. Even though the bid has been triumphant, there seems to be ambiguity regarding the potential financial returns for the country.Why do you think that is?
Dr. Silva: That’s a great question. The government’s hesitation to quantify the financial return stems from the many variables involved in hosting such a monumental event. Large sporting events like the World Cup certainly boost tourism and infrastructure growth; though, estimating exact figures can be elusive.Many factors play a role, including operational costs, international visitor numbers, and the overall economic environment during the event.
Editor: Indeed! During the proclamation celebrations, officials mentioned that the government would assess the implications thoroughly. What metrics or methods do you think they should use to evaluate the potential economic impact?
Dr. Silva: They should consider a multi-faceted approach. This includes indicators such as increased hotel occupancy rates, visitor spending in local businesses, and investments in infrastructure. Additionally, they might analyse historical data from previous World Cups to create comparative projections. Surveys and community feedback will also be essential to measure intangible impacts, such as city branding and community pride.
Editor: Certainly, and it’s fascinating to note that this Iberian-Moroccan candidacy was unopposed. What does that tell you about the current landscape of international sports hosting and its competitiveness?
Dr. Silva: It signals a meaningful shift in how countries view large-scale sporting events. With the cost of hosting continuing to rise, many nations are reconsidering their bids. The fact that this was a solo candidacy indicates that Portugal, Spain, and morocco likely presented a sufficiently compelling case that others felt unable to compete with. It reflects a trend where countries are banding together to share resources and responsibilities,which can frequently enough lead to innovative solutions for hosting.
Editor: Speaking of innovation,what kind of legacy do you think hosting the World Cup might leave for Portugal,especially in terms of infrastructure and cultural exchange?
Dr. Silva: The potential for a lasting legacy is enormous. Infrastructure improvements can provide long-term benefits beyond the tournament itself, enhancing transportation systems and stadium facilities that will be used long after the World Cup ends. Culturally, it offers a platform for Portugal to showcase its heritage and values to a global audience, paving the way for cultural exchange and strengthening international relationships.
Editor: That’s a fascinating outlook. Dr. Silva,what advice would you give to policymakers as they prepare for this next phase?
Dr. Silva: I would advise them to engage with local communities and stakeholders early in the planning process. Openness is key. Open discussions about expectations, potential inconveniences, and opportunities will foster community support. Additionally, prioritizing lasting practices to minimize environmental impacts is crucial. This World Cup can set a precedent for future events and demonstrate that football and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Editor: Thank you so much,Dr. Silva, for sharing your insights with us today. It’s clear that while the excitement builds for the 2030 World Cup, careful planning and community engagement will be essential to maximize its benefits for Portugal.
Dr. Silva: Thank you for having me. I’m looking forward to seeing how this all unfolds!
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay connected with Time.news for more updates on the 2030 FIFA World Cup and its impact on Portugal.