Morocco, Portugal, Spain To Host 2030 World Cup

FIFA revealed on Wednesday that the 2030 World Cup will have multiple hosts, as Morocco, Portugal, and Spain have been chosen to jointly host the tournament. In a celebratory twist, matches will also take place in South America, specifically in Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and Asuncion, to honor the centenary of the first-ever World Cup held in Uruguay in 1930. While the majority of matches will be played in the three hosting countries (Morocco, Portugal, and Spain), FIFA's announcement ends competition between two significant bids, one led by Spain and Portugal, and the other by Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Paraguay. Once technical criteria are validated, FIFA will officially award the event in 2024. This unique intercontinental format promises both political and logistical complexities, raising questions about the environmental impact of major sporting events. The decision to include South American host cities is a nod to the centenary of the World Cup's inception in Uruguay. FIFA plans to hold a "centenary ceremony" at Montevideo's Estadio Centenario, the venue for the inaugural tournament in 1930. This event featured 13 teams in a single host city, in contrast to the 32-team format of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 48-team format from the 2026 World Cup in North America onwards. FIFA President Gianni Infantino remarked, "In a divided world, FIFA and football are uniting." He emphasized the unanimous support for celebrating the centenary of the World Cup in the most fitting manner possible. Additionally, FIFA announced its invitation for bids from the Asian and Oceanian continental confederations for the 2034 World Cup, expanding the possibilities for future hosts. Furthermore, FIFA lifted the ban on Russian under-17 teams competing internationally, following UEFA's recent decision to lift the ban on Russia's youth sides.