NYON, Switzerland, (AFP) – Ukrainian football association (UAF) president Andriy Pavelko said European football was “united” after his country was added to Portugal and Spain’s bid to host the 2030 World Cup.

The original proposal from Spain and Portugal was announced two years ago but has been given a political impetus by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“United as never before, the European football family, having condemned the crimes against the Ukrainian people, proved its commitment to the values that underlie our organisation,” Pavelko told reporters.

“I thank you and all the friendly national associations for the help on behalf of thousands of little players — girls and boys from Mariupol, Kharkiv, Kherson, Irpin, Bucha and many other cities that were subjected to barbaric military aggression.”

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said the bid was “more than a symbol of faith in our joint victory”.

“Ukraine will endure, prevail and be rebuilt thanks to the solidarity of its partners,” Zelensky said on Twitter.

He added that it was “very symbolic” that two EU nations were in a position to organise the tournament together with aspiring member Ukraine, in a video published on social media.

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into legislation his annexation of four Ukrainian territories as the EU agreed a new round of sanctions against Moscow in response.

In recent weeks, Ukraine’s forces, bolstered by Western weapons, have wrested Russian troops out of a string of towns and villages in the east and in the south.

“These children were forced to leave their homes, their clubs and football schools, fleeing from bullets and shells,” Pavelko said.

“Many of them received your support and found shelter in various European countries.

“Now they can continue to play football in European clubs and have made new friends all over Europe.

“The war will end, and we will organise World Cup 2030 matches together with Spain and Portugal at the highest level.”

War-torn Ukraine applied for European Union membership just five days after Russia’s February 24 invasion and the bloc accepted the candidacy in June.

“Ukraine’s participation in the bid to host the 2030 World Cup is also important for the unification and strengthening of Europe in these difficult times,” Pavelko said.

“A few months ago, Ukraine received the status of a candidate for EU membership, and in the coming years we hope to obtain full membership.

“The joint holding of the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal will be a vivid historical event that will symbolise the unity of Europe from Lisbon to Kyiv, Donetsk, Lugansk and Sevastopol.”

The vote to host the 2030 World Cup is expected to take place in 2024.

– UEFA support –

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) said in a statement the idea was backed by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

“The institutional headquarters are in Madrid, the administrative headquarters are in Lisbon. Now the Ukrainian delegation will unite with us,” RFEF president Luis Rubiales said.

“In the coming months, we will come to work on practicalities.”

Portugal held the 2004 European Championship and Spain hosted the 1982 World Cup, while Ukraine was a joint host of Euro 2012 with Poland.