Andriy Pavelko, President of the UAF and UEFA Executive Committee member, spoke at a briefing regarding Ukraine's involvement in a joint bid with Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup.

On October 5 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon a press conference was held featuring Fernando Gomes, President of the Portuguese Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, and Andriy Pavelko, President of the Ukrainian Association of Football. At this event, it was officially announced that Portugal, Spain, and Ukraine are submitting a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

During the press conference, Andriy Pavelko noted:

"Firstly, I would like to express deep gratitude to UEFA leadership under Aleksander Ceferin and my colleagues on the UEFA Executive Committee, particularly Luis Rubiales and Fernando Gomes, for the strong support that Ukraine has received since February 24.

Thank you to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky for our joint efforts aimed at reviving football in Ukraine and supporting Ukraine's initiative to participate in the bid to host the 2030 World Cup!

The united European football family, condemning crimes against the Ukrainian people, demonstrated devotion to values that lie at the heart of our organization. Above all, this is football for peace!

Now I thank you and all friendly national associations on behalf of thousands of young players - girls and boys from Mariupol, Kharkiv, Kherson, Irpin, Bucha, and many other cities that have suffered barbaric military aggression. These children were forced to leave their homes, clubs, and football schools, fleeing bullets and shells. Many found refuge in various European countries with your support. Now they can continue playing football in European clubs and have made new friends all over Europe.

It is precisely this support, the work carried out by the UAF, the determination, and the support of President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Office that helped Ukraine's football family to revive football life. We revived matches among men's and women's teams, and what is particularly important for us, they are taking place in Ukraine. Football is an important social phenomenon supporting Ukrainians during these difficult times.

That is why we are pleased to join the European bid to host the 2030 World Cup. We understand how significant this initiative is today for all of Ukraine. It is a dream of millions of Ukrainian fans. A dream of people who have endured war horrors or still find themselves in occupied territories, where soon the Ukrainian flag will fly again. We revived football in Ukraine amid and against the war. The war will end, and we will organize World Cup 2030 matches jointly with Spain and Portugal at the highest level!

Ukraine's participation in the bid to host the 2030 World Cup is also important for uniting and strengthening Europe during these difficult times. A few months ago, Ukraine received candidate status for EU membership, and we hope to gain full membership in the coming years. Jointly hosting the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal will be a bright historical event symbolizing unity from Lisbon to Kyiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Sevastopol. This event will be a symbol of football triumph for peace! Which is also symbolic in the context of the centenary of the first World Cup, which the entire football world will celebrate in 2030.

Sincerely thank my colleagues from Spain and Portugal for supporting the joint bid, which only confirms the unity of the European football family. Thank you to UEFA and personally Aleksander Ceferin for supporting this initiative! Thank you to President of Ukraine, Office of the Head of State for steadfastness and continuous support for Ukrainian football in our country and on the international stage! Thank you to all our friends from national associations for solidarity and support for Ukraine!

We are playing together as one team for peace!"