“2030 World Cup to span Six Countries on Three Continents”
Fifa has officially confirmed that the 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by six countries spanning three continents. The co-hosts include Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with the initial three matches set to be held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. The significance of these opening matches in South America is to commemorate the World Cup’s centenary, marking 100 years since the inaugural tournament in Montevideo. This decision is pending ratification at a Fifa congress scheduled for the next year.
Fifa also announced that only bids from countries within the Asian Football Confederation and the Oceania Football Confederation will be considered for the 2034 World Cup. Following this announcement, Saudi Arabia expressed its intention to bid for the 2034 tournament, marking its first bid to host the World Cup. The deadline for interested host countries to submit their confirmations is October 31.
Fifa’s decision to host the 2030 World Cup across multiple continents has faced criticism, with some supporters’ groups accusing the organization of compromising the tournament’s integrity. Concerns include the impact on fans, environmental considerations, and the selection of a host nation with a controversial human rights record for 2034. Fifa President Gianni Infantino defended the decision, emphasizing the unity and global celebration that the tournament represents.
The opening match in 2030 is poised to take place in Montevideo, Uruguay, the city that hosted the first World Cup match in 1930, followed by matches in Argentina and Paraguay. The remainder of the 48-team tournament will then continue in North Africa and Europe. This geographical shift could lead to teams playing in different seasons during the same tournament.
If approved, Morocco would become the second African nation to host a World Cup, following South Africa in 2010. Spain and Portugal, both co-hosts, have their own football history, with Spain hosting the tournament in 1982, and Portugal having previously hosted Euro 2004. As co-hosts, all six countries—Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco—will automatically qualify for the tournament.
