Morocco and Algeria should apply to jointly host the World Cup 2030, King Mohammed VI told Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Moroccan website Le 360 reported that the proposal came in a letter to Bouteflika and was revealed by the country’s Ambassador to Algeria, Hassan Abdel Khaliq.

“Expressing his sincere thanks and gratitude for his country [Algeria]’s vote in favour of Morocco to host the 2026 World Cup,” King Mohammed VI said he “had proudly regarded this noble Algerian position [which] reflects the values ​​of dignity, honesty and loyalty of Bouteflika, and at the same time mirrors the deep bonds of brotherhood and solidarity between the people of the two countries.”

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The Moroccan proposal is considered a significant change in the tense relations between the two countries, as the land borders between the two countries have been closed since 1994.

There was no official confirmation from the two sides regarding the Moroccan proposal, nor has there been any mention of Algeria’s response.

Last week, the tripartite file of US, Mexico and Canada won the right to organisation the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Morocco had submitted a bid to host the competition.

Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq voted against Morocco.