About the initiative of the Government of Ecuador to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030 along with Colombia and Peru, the Secretary to the President Lenin Moreno warned on Wednesday that the Atahualpa Olympic Stadium may not be approved by Conmebol as the venue for the Ecuadorian national football team for the South American qualifying for the World Cup Qatar 2022, which will be played from March 2020.
In an interview for Radio La Redonda, Juan Sebastian Roldan explained how Ecuador's interest in hosting the World Cup was born, but as the details progressed, the man close to Lenin Moreno revealed that the Atahualpa Olympic Stadium (inaugurated on November 25, 1951) could not be qualified as the venue for the upcoming South American qualifiers due to its current state.
- The Government seeks the FIFA World Cup 2030 but abandons works like the Forestal swimming pools.
"If there is no investment in the Atahualpa by March, Conmebol may not allow us to play the qualifiers. That investment does not correspond to us as a government, the Pichincha Sports Concentration owns the stadium. Without a doubt, we will support in everything we can," said the public official.
- Colombia says yes to Ecuador Government's initiative to host the 2030 World Cup.
Regarding the costs of organizing a FIFA World Cup, Roldan stated that the Ecuadorian State is capable of carrying out a project to host the World Cup when there are still ten years for the celebration of that edition.
"Let's say, $6 billion is needed to host the World Cup and let's divide it among the three countries that are going to host the World Cup. Let's say Ecuador will have to invest $2 billion. FIFA asks that 30% ($600 million) be invested in stadiums and the rest, $1.4 billion, in public works, airports, and physical tourism works. If we divide that by ten years, it means that we will have to invest $140 million dollars per year in public works and $60 million in stadiums. Ecuador invests $500 million dollars in public works every year," said Moreno's private secretary.
- After intervention, the state of Modelo Stadium has worsened.
He added: "The first thing FIFA is going to ask us for is a major Quito - Guayaquil highway. Without a doubt, Ecuador will benefit from that. We are a small country that already has two very good airports and good connectivity. If we spend $140 million out of the $500 million that we are already spending, we will guarantee better roads, better airports, better tourism for Ecuador".
And despite the high levels of euphoria in Carondelet, Roldan is realistic. "It is possible that even the World Cup may not be accepted, however, we are thinking about a project that goes from a street kid playing soccer in a school to a big project like a World Cup," he added.
The proposal was launched on September 7 by the Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno. His Colombian counterpart, Ivan Duque, confirmed his interest. However, the Peruvian president has not publicly responded to the request. (D)
How much would the National Government have to invest for the idea of the World Cup 2030? @juanseroldan along with @estebanavila and @PATODIAZGUEVARA in #LaRadioRedonda September 18, 2019