Spain, Portugal, Morocco To Host FIFA World Cup 2030
FIFA World Cup 2030 will be played across three continents (Europe, Africa and South America), and different hemispheres within the same tournament.
Spain, Portugal and Morocco are set to co-host the men’s FIFA World Cup 2030, as has been officially confirmed. However, the opening matches of the tournament will be held in South America to mark the centenary of the quadrennial event of FIFA.
The first three matches of the FIFA World Cup 2030 will take place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, with the governing body commemorating 100 years since the start of the first edition of the World Cup.
The 1930 World Cup was held in Uruguay, and the hosts were crowned champions. Argentina and Spain have also staged the tournament in the past. Portugal, Paraguay and Morocco will all be first-time hosts to the major football event.
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This means that the FIFA World Cup 2030 will be played across three continents (Europe, Africa and South America), and different hemispheres within the same tournament.
On the other hand, Saudi Arabia will host the men’s soccer World Cup in 2034. The country will become the second nation from the Middle East to host the quadrennial tournament, 12 years after Qatar staged the 2022 edition.
In 2023, FIFA said that the 2034 World Cup would be held in the Asia or Oceania region, with the Asian Football Confederation throwing its support behind the Saudi bid.
The decision was announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino following a virtual extraordinary Congress. The FIFA World Cup 2030 and the following edition each had only a single bid and both were confirmed by acclamation.
“We are bringing football to more countries and the number of teams has not diluted the quality. It actually enhanced the opportunity,” Infantino said about the 2030 World Cup.
Also Read: Saudi Arabia Confirmed As Host Of The FIFA World Cup 2034
Spain, Portugal, Morocco- Sole Contenders For FIFA World Cup 2030
FIFA confirmed over a year ago that the joint proposal led by Morocco, Spain and Portugal was the sole contender for 2030, with all other potential candidates having fallen by the wayside.
Four South American countries namely, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay, had launched a joint bid in 2019, convinced that the centenary World Cup should entirely take place on the same continent where it all began.
Previously, Spain and Portugal had submitted a dual bid in 2021, with Ukraine joining them in 2022. Meanwhile, Morocco replaced Ukraine as a partner for Spain and Portugal, while South America agreed to step aside in exchange for hosting three games.
The 2030 World Cup will get underway from June 8, and will run till July 21, 2030.