FIFA Announces Three-Continent Host Sites for 2030 World Cup and 100th Anniversary

FIFA has announced that the 2030 World Cup will be hosted by three continents – Europe, Africa, and South America – and six countries.

The joint bid put forth by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain was the lone candidate to host the men's tournament. This makes Morocco the first North African nation to ever host the World Cup.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, the first three games of the 2030 tournament will be held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay – the countries where the inaugural tournament was held in 1930. The opening match will take place at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay, which was built specifically for the first World Cup and named in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Uruguayan constitution.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino sees this joint bid as a symbol of peace, tolerance, and inclusion. He believes that uniting Africa and Europe for this celebration of football sends a powerful message in a divided world. The FIFA Council unanimously agreed to celebrate the World Cup's centenary in this befitting manner.

The president of the Uruguayan Football Association, Ignacio Alonso, expressed that this historic achievement goes beyond sport for South America. Football is the trademark of the continent, and hosting the World Cup is a source of great pride for all of South America.

All six host nations will automatically receive a spot in the tournament, recognizing their role as hosts. This allows them to fully participate and showcase their talent on their home turf.

Looking ahead to the 2034 World Cup, FIFA is welcoming bids from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) according to their rotating host site guidelines. Saudi Arabia has already announced its intention to bid for hosting rights, following their role as hosts of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa applauds Saudi Arabia's initiative and assures the support of the entire Asian football family. FIFA is committed to working closely with the global football community to ensure the success of the bid and the tournament.

In summary, FIFA's announcement of three-continent host sites for the 2030 World Cup and its 100th anniversary is a significant moment in football history. It symbolizes unity, celebrates past achievements, and sets the stage for an extraordinary tournament. South America takes pride in this historic achievement, and all six host nations will have the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage in football. Looking forward, Saudi Arabia's bid for the 2034 World Cup highlights the ongoing interest and excitement in hosting the prestigious event.