Tomasz Wacławek: A World Cup in Poland and Ukraine? No one can stop us dreaming

A joint World Cup hosted by Poland and Ukraine is a beautiful idea, but even a 20-year timeline may not make it easy to realize, writes Tomasz Wacławek.

The proposal came from Ukrainian Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi, who said Ukraine would like to organize a future football World Cup together with Poland. For Wacławek, the idea immediately brings back memories of the summer of 2012, when the two countries welcomed football stars and crowds of supporters for the European Championship.

The tournament did not bring much joy on the pitch. Poland's team was making its European Championship debut, and Ukraine also failed to advance from its group. But the columnist emphasizes the wider transformation that accompanied the event.

Poland and Ukraine built highways, new hotels and stadiums that had previously seemed familiar mainly from television. In Poland, impressive arenas later appeared in almost every larger city.

The memory of Euro 2012 gives the proposed World Cup a powerful precedent, but the article's framing remains cautious. The dream is attractive, Wacławek argues, while its practical realization would still be difficult, even two decades from now.