Algarve hopes to be a part of the World Cup, even without hosting any matches
The Algarve has made its pitch to be chosen as be one of the training bases for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be organised by Portugal, Spain, and Morocco.
“In the southern part of the country, there are several training centres that have the necessary conditions for this purpose, and the privileged location of the Algarve guarantees proximity to the Spanish border and Morocco, which could be an advantage,” the Algarve Municipalities Association (AMAL) said in a statement released on Wednesday.
Speaking to sports newspaper O Jogo, AMAL boss António Pina said “the region has several sports and hotel facilities that receive clubs and national teams from around the world throughout the year.”
“In addition to the excellent structural conditions offered to them, they have an advantage over other regions, which is the (Algarve’s) good weather and experience in hosting,” he said, citing the examples of the Vila Real de Santo António Sports Complex and the Algarve Stadium, the latter built especially for the Euro 2004
AMAL believes that it would be “fair for the Algarve that the Government and the Portuguese Football Federation recognise this region’s merit” and adds that it hopes its appeal will receive a positive response.
Despite not having any stadiums in the 2023 World Cup as the Algarve Stadium does not have the minimum capacity required, the Algarve still wants to be a part of the event.
“The challenge we are putting to the government and the federation is that there are conditions for several teams that have games in Portugal, Spain, or even Morocco to carry out their training and preparation games in the Algarve,” Pina added.
