2030 World Cup in 6 countries: Portugal, Spain, Morocco main hosts - 3 games in South America
The 2030 World Cup will be hosted by six countries on three continents. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will host the majority of the games. Three games will be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. FIFA reached that decision on Monday. By including the three South American countries, FIFA wants to commemorate the 1930 World Cup, which was hosted by Uruguay. The decision was made at a virtual meeting of the FIFA Council on Wednesday. It will need to be confirmed in a vote taken by all 211 FIFA members.
From Atlanta to Vancouver - 2026 FIFA World Cup stadiums sorted by size
Originally, the three South American countries wanted to host all games of the tournament, but FIFA has rejected that notion. After the original three games, the tournament will continue with 48 countries in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. All six host nations will be automatically qualified for the World Cup. FIFA also plans an opening ceremony to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the first World Cup in Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo.
The announcement by FIFA has been a surprise. Originally, the host of the 2030 World Cup was supposed to be announced at the 74th FIFA Congress in 2024. This means that for the first time in history, there will be World Cup games in North Africa, Portugal, and Paraguay. Uruguay hosted the World Cup in 1930, Argentina was the host in 1978, and Spain hosted in 1982.
2030 World Cup in six countries – FIFA-Boss Infantino explains his reasons
"In a divided world, Fifa and football are uniting," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement. "The FIFA Council, representing the entire world of football, unanimously agreed to celebrate the centenary of the FIFA World Cup, whose first edition was played in Uruguay in 1930, in the most appropriate way.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. FIFA also confirmed only bids from countries from the Asian Football Confederation and the Oceania Football Confederation will be considered for the 2034 finals. Although Australia is likely to announce a bid, this could clear the path for Saudi Arabia to play host in 2034.
