World Cup 2030 is set to be held in six countries across three continents. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will host the tournament, with the first three games taking place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. The official appointment of hosts will be made by FIFA Congress next year.
In addition, Saudi Arabia could potentially host the 2034 edition of the tournament. For the 2030 edition, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are on track to co-host the men’s tournament, while Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will stage the opening matches to commemorate the tournament’s centenary. The hosting arrangement was proposed by UEFA, the Confederation of African Football, and South American confederation CONMEBOL, and was accepted by the FIFA council. However, it is still subject to formal approval by FIFA’s congress.
The selection of Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay is in recognition of their historical significance in hosting and participating in the tournament. These countries will automatically qualify for the finals and play their opening games on their home soil. The World Cup 2030 aims to have a unique global presence, spanning three continents and welcoming the world to celebrate the beautiful game, the centenary, and the FIFA World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the unity that football brings in a divided world, and expressed his satisfaction with the arrangements for World Cup 2030. However, there are concerns about the logistics and affordability for fans, especially if their team is drawn to play in multiple continents.
The hosting of the 2034 tournament is likely to be awarded to Saudi Arabia, with bids from the Asian Football Confederation and the Oceania Football Confederation being considered. If successful, Saudi Arabia would be the overwhelming favorite to host the tournament.
The scandal surrounding former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has not affected Spain’s chance to host its second World Cup. Morocco would become the second African nation to host World Cup finals matches, and Portugal would host its first World Cup, following its successful hosting of Euro 2004. The South American bid faced challenges in overcoming the unified bid from UEFA, CAF, and CONMEBOL, which led to this proposal.
In previous years, the World Cup has been held in various countries, including Russia, Brazil, Germany, Japan and South Korea, and France, to name a few.