Saudi Arabia has officially been awarded hosting rights for the FIFA Men’s World Cup in 2034, while the 2030 edition will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with celebratory matches taking place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. The announcement was made on Wednesday during an extraordinary virtual Congress of FIFA presided over by President Gianni Infantino.

Both the 2030 and 2034 World Cups were confirmed by acclamation, as they faced no competing bids. Commenting on the 2030 tournament, Infantino stated: “We are bringing football to more countries. The expanded number of teams has not diluted quality; instead, it has enhanced opportunities.”

A Historic 2030 World Cup Across Three Continents

The 2030 World Cup will make history as the first to span six nations across three continents. To commemorate the tournament’s centenary, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will each host a single match, paying tribute to the inaugural World Cup held in Uruguay in 1930.

The remainder of the tournament will be staged in Spain, which previously hosted the World Cup in 1982, alongside first-time hosts Portugal, Morocco, and Paraguay. With 104 matches featuring 48 teams, the event promises to be a spectacle of football.

Infantino emphasised the significance of the centenary celebration, stating: “What better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary than with a World Cup spread across three continents? The world will stand still to honour 100 years of this extraordinary tournament.” He also expressed gratitude to all bidding nations and FIFA’s confederation presidents for their support.

Saudi Arabia to Host 2034 World Cup

The 2034 World Cup will see Saudi Arabia become the second Middle Eastern nation to host the tournament, following Qatar’s successful staging in 2022. This milestone underscores FIFA’s commitment to expanding football’s global reach and promoting inclusivity across diverse regions.

The decisions for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments mark a significant moment in FIFA’s efforts to bring the World Cup to new territories, fostering unity and celebrating the game’s universal appeal.