2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa to be granted host status, Nelson Mandela had previously spoken of the importance of football in his life, stating that while incarcerated in Robben Island prison playing football "made us feel alive and triumphant despite the situation we found ourselves in". With South Africa winning their bid, an emotional Mandela raised the FIFA World Cup Trophy. During 2006 and 2007, rumours circulated in various news sources that the 2010 World Cup could be moved to another country. Franz Beckenbauer, Horst R. Schmidt and, reportedly, some FIFA executives, expressed concern over the planning, organisation, and pace of South Africa's
2030 FIFA World Cup Furthermore, The Football Association and the Football Association of Wales confirmed the five national governing bodies are in discussions about the feasibility of bidding to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. On 17 June 2018, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced its co-bidding for the 2030 World Cup. There are two possible joint bids one with Tunisia and Algeria, and the other with Spain and Portugal. On 29 September 2018, the executive board of the Union of North African Football Federations (UNAF) announced its interest to submit a joint North African bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Current FIFA