Everyone to the World Cup in Ukraine in 2040

The Poles and Ukrainians are actively trying to mend their relations following clashes, exchanges of fire, the return of medals and the stalled delivery of MiG-29s. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has repeatedly delivered speeches calling for a return to reason, arguing that Warsaw cannot afford to lose Kyiv and Kyiv cannot afford to lose Warsaw; and whilst incidents of violence against Ukrainians in Poland are on the rise, the task of repairing the diplomatic damage caused a few months ago has been entrusted to the two foreign ministers, Radosław Sikorski and Andrii Sybiha.

The Ukrainian Minister for Sport, Matviy Bidny, told Politico that Ukraine is considering co-hosting the World Cup with Poland in 2040, and the announcement carries a truly powerful sense of optimism. Poland and Ukraine have already co-hosted the European Championships – back in 2012, before Russia invaded Crimea and part of the Donbas – and indeed, in the Donetsk region, the Donbas Arena was one of the most state-of-the-art stadiums for hosting matches. Today, it lies in ruins amidst the rubble left behind by Moscow following its occupation.

Ukraine is looking ahead to 2040, envisaging a new future; it believes in this vision and is bidding to host the World Cup. “We must plan ahead,” says Minister Bidny, showcasing a country that is not only making plans to withstand Russian aggression, but also to present itself as attractive, open and competitive: “We remain a country focused on the greatest sporting achievements; it is part of our national culture and we want to develop it despite the difficulties.” And then there is Poland, the allied country with which the Ukrainians struggle to get along, but even in future relations they seem ready to hope for the best. If Kyiv, under attack from drones, can rebuild, so can we. But hope alone is not enough; we must take action to ensure that by 2040, Ukraine will be a free, sovereign, vibrant country, without Moscow looming over it as an eternal threat.