Fresh from the country’s failed attempt to host the 2026 Fifa World Cup, Morocco is plotting to join forces with Spain and Portugal to launch a bid for the 2030 edition, according to Moroccan news outlet Al Yaoum 24.

Reports have stated that relevant parties from all three countries have met regularly over the past few months, and that an agreement has been drafted for a first-ever pan-continental World Cup bid.

Previous stories had suggested that Morocco was set to partner with its North African neighbours in Algeria and Tunisia for a 2030 bid, but now favours an Africa-Europe alliance. Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, has claimed there is “no doubt” that the country will bid for the World Cup again – its sixth bid in total, having lost out on five previous occasions – but the form of that bid has not been confirmed. Representatives from any of the countries involved have yet to comment on the reports.

The bid would be a long shot to win the rights to stage the tournament. Uruguay, in association with Paraguay and Argentina, have already confirmed their intention to bid, with the 2030 World Cup set to mark 100 years since they hosted, and won, the inaugural edition. England’s FA has also signalled that it will enter the race, while industry observers expect China, now a major financial backer of Fifa, to make a strong play for either 2030 or 2034.