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FIFA Council unanimously selected Morocco, Portugal, and Spain to host the historic 2030 Centenary World Cup, uniting three continents.
The FIFA Council has set the stage for a groundbreaking celebration of football's centenary, as three continents and six nations join forces to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030.
The unanimous decision was reached during a videoconference held at the Home of FIFA, marking a momentous occasion that brings together Africa, Europe, and South America for a global football extravaganza.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed the significance of this united effort, stating, “In a divided world, FIFA and football are uniting.”
The council unanimously agreed on the combined bid of Morocco, Portugal, and Spain to host the centenary edition, showcasing a unique collaboration between Africa and Europe.
The three nations will automatically qualify for the event, pending the successful completion of the bidding process overseen by FIFA, with the final decision to be made at the FIFA Congress in 2024.
The choice of hosts extends beyond the traditional boundaries of one nation, reflecting FIFA's commitment to inclusivity and global cooperation.
Furthermore, acknowledging the historical context of the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930, the FIFA Council decided to host a special centenary celebration ceremony in Montevideo, Uruguay.
This city holds a special place in football history as the birthplace of the World Cup, and the festivities will include three World Cup matches spread across Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
“The FIFA Council also agreed unanimously that the only bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2030 will be the joint bid of Morocco, Portugal, and Spain,” emphasized President Infantino.
“Two continents - Africa and Europe - united not only in a celebration of football but also in providing unique social and cultural cohesion. What a great message of peace, tolerance, and inclusion.”
The celebratory matches will be held in iconic stadiums, with the first taking place at Montevideo’s mythical Estádio Centenário, where the journey of the FIFA World Cup began. This symbolic choice underlines the historical importance of the centenary edition.
“In 2030, we will have a unique global footprint, three continents – Africa, Europe, and South America – six countries – Argentina, Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, and Uruguay – welcoming and uniting the world while celebrating together the beautiful game, the centenary, and the FIFA World Cup," Infantino concluded.
In addition to this groundbreaking decision, the FIFA Council, in adherence to the principle of confederation rotation and the pursuit of optimal hosting conditions, agreed to conduct the bidding processes for both the 2030 and 2034 editions concurrently.
Member associations from the AFC and the OFC territories are invited to bid for the FIFA World Cup 2034. The bidding regulations, approved by the FIFA Council, will maintain the minimum hosting requirements set for the 2030 edition.
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