FIFA has announced the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 World Cup tournaments, with the 2030 edition set to span six countries across three continents, and Saudi Arabia confirmed as the sole host for 2034.
The 2030 World Cup will be a historic event, marking the tournament’s 100th anniversary. Matches will be played in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the decision as a way to bring football to more countries and celebrate the centenary of the world’s most-watched sporting event.
“What better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary than to have the World Cup in six countries, across three continents, with 48 teams and 104 epic matches,” Infantino said after the virtual extraordinary Congress. “The world will stand still and celebrate 100 years of the World Cup.”
Uruguay, the host of the inaugural World Cup in 1930, along with Argentina and Paraguay, will each host a celebratory opening match. This move honors the rich history of football in South America while expanding the tournament’s reach into Europe and Africa with Spain, Portugal, and Morocco co-hosting the remaining matches.
Looking ahead to 2034, Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the host nation. This will make Saudi Arabia the second Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup, following Qatar in 2022. The Saudi bid was the only one for 2034 after Australia and Indonesia withdrew their joint proposal.
The decisions reflect FIFA’s commitment to globalizing football and providing more opportunities for nations to participate in hosting the sport’s most prestigious event. Fans around the world can look forward to a decade of exciting international football hosted in diverse and culturally rich locations.
Reference(s):
World Cup goes to Spain, Portugal, Morocco in 2030 and Saudi in 2034
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