FIFA has officially announced the hosting arrangements for the 2030 World Cup, spanning six countries across three different continents.
Spain, Portugal, and Morocco have been named as the co-hosts, with the tournament’s opening three matches scheduled to take place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
The decision to commence the World Cup in South America aims to commemorate the tournament’s centenary, marking 100 years since the inaugural event in Montevideo. This decision awaits ratification at a FIFA congress scheduled for the following year.
Furthermore, FIFA has declared that only bids from nations within the Asian Football Confederation and the Oceania Football Confederation will be considered for the 2034 World Cup. In response, Saudi Arabia has announced its intention to bid for the 2034 tournament, marking its first bid to host the competition.
FIFA’s choice to organize the World Cup across multiple continents has sparked criticism, with one supporters’ group accusing FIFA of undermining the prestige of the world’s greatest football tournament.
Critics argue that such a decision is detrimental to fans, neglects environmental concerns, and extends an invitation to a host for 2034 with a problematic human rights record.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the decision, emphasizing the unifying power of football: “In a divided world, Fifa and football are uniting. The Fifa Council, representing the entire world of football, unanimously agreed to celebrate the centenary of the Fifa World Cup in the most appropriate way.”
The proposed plan for the 2030 World Cup includes a unique global footprint, with matches being held on three continents; Africa, Europe, and South America.
Six countries; Argentina, Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, and Uruguay will collectively welcome and unite football fans worldwide while celebrating the beautiful game, the centenary of the World Cup, and its history.
The city of Montevideo in Uruguay, which hosted the first World Cup match in 1930, is poised to host the opening game in 2030. Subsequent matches will be held in Argentina and Paraguay before the remainder of the 48-team tournament moves to North Africa and Europe.
This change in hemispheres may result in World Cup teams experiencing two different seasons during the same tournament. If the 2030 proposal receives approval, Morocco would become only the second African nation to host a World Cup, following South Africa’s hosting in 2010.
Spain previously hosted the World Cup in 1982, while Portugal has never hosted the tournament, although Euro 2004 took place there. As co-hosts, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will all automatically qualify for the tournament.
Source: BBC Sports
