CAIRO — Recent press reports revealed that Cairo and Riyadh are seeking to submit a joint application to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, since both countries have the capabilities to organize large soccer events.

On Aug. 22, the Egyptian news website Cairo24 reported, “Cairo and Riyadh will officially announce the joint application soon. The two countries have agreed to co-host the event and establish a joint committee whose most prominent member is Hany Abou Rida, the Egyptian Football Association’s former president and member of the International Federation of Association Football's Executive Board.”

Abou Rida, who is also a member of the Executive Board of the Confederation of African Football, confirmed in TV statements Aug. 31, “Egypt can host the World Cup in the future. The world will see many changes in the next two years when it comes to organizing competitions. Egypt has a legitimate right to aspire to this.”

Abou Rida continued, “The world is moving toward co-hosting this event, in which 48 national teams take part. Countries will need to collaborate, and we hope that Egypt will have a role in this.”