Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 Men’s Football World Cup, while the 2030 World Cup will take place in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with special one-off matches in three South American countries. FIFA, the global governing body for soccer, confirmed the news on Wednesday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the decision after an extraordinary virtual congress. Both the 2030 and 2034 World Cups had single bids and were approved unanimously.
Infantino stated, “We are bringing football to more countries, and the increased number of teams has improved the opportunity, not reduced the quality.” This reflects FIFA’s aim to expand the tournament’s reach globally.
A Historic 2030 World Cup
The 2030 tournament will span three continents and six countries. Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will host celebratory matches marking the World Cup’s 100th anniversary, as Uruguay hosted the inaugural event in 1930.
The primary matches will be held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. While Argentina and Spain have hosted the World Cup before, it will be a first for Morocco, Portugal, and Paraguay.
Saudi Arabia Joins as Middle East Host in 2034
Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, making it the second Middle Eastern country to host the event after Qatar in 2022. The decision marks another milestone for the region in global sports.
