War-torn Ukraine will join Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup, the presidents of the three countries’ football associations announced on Wednesday.

The initial proposal was published two years ago and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said in a statement the idea had the backing of UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.

“The Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) have included the Football Federation of Ukraine (UAF) in the Iberian bid to organize the 2030 World Cup,” RFEF said in a statement.

“With the full support of Aleksander Ceferin, the Iberian bid includes the FA chaired by Andriy Pavelko to build bridges and send a message of unity, solidarity and generosity from all of European football,” he added.

Portugal hosted Euro 2004, while Ukraine co-hosted Euro 2012 with Poland.

“The example of tenacity and resilience of the Ukrainian people is inspiring,” the FPF said.

The FPF added that the joint bid “aims to contribute through the power of football to the recovery of a country in the process of rebuilding”.

It added that the terms of Ukraine’s role in the bid “will be discussed and defined in due course”.

It follows an Egyptian official’s announcement last month that Egypt, Greece and Saudi Arabia are in talks to jointly host the 2030 World Cup.

In August, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay launched their bid to host the event – held in Uruguay to mark the centenary of the first World Cup – in hopes of bringing the global showcase back to its first home.

The 2026 edition has already been awarded to three countries – Canada, Mexico and the United States.

More than half of the 21 World Cup finals already hosted have been staged in Europe, but later this year Qatar will host the finals, the first time they have been held in the Middle East.