On Wednesday, FIFA officially declared that Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will serve as co-hosts for the 2030 World Cup.
The announcement was made during a virtual FIFA Congress in Zurich, attended by member representatives from across the globe.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also revealed that a few matches will be played in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to commemorate the centenary of the first-ever World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930.
In October 2023, the FIFA Council unanimously endorsed the joint bid from Morocco, Spain, and Portugal as the exclusive proposal to host the 2030 World Cup.
Morocco has become the second African nation to host the World Cup, following South Africa in 2010, and the second Arab host after Qatar in 2022.
The joint bid by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal unites the western shores of the Mediterranean, reflecting shared historical, geographical, and cultural connections among the peoples of the region.
The 2030 World Cup is seen as an extension of centuries-old cultural relations shaped by the exchange of ideas and interactions between the northern and southern Mediterranean.
In an increasingly polarized world, Morocco, Spain, and Portugal have adopted the slogan “Yalla Vamos”/“Let’s Go” for their bid, emphasizing solidarity and shared heritage. The three nations aim to use their joint World Cup to unite people, transcend boundaries, and celebrate common humanity. Their vision seeks to foster stronger ties between Africa and Europe, promoting a fairer and more inclusive global community.
This message aligns with FIFA’s slogan, “Football Unites the World.” The 2030 tournament will make history as the first World Cup to span two continents—and even three if accounting for the centennial celebration matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay in South America.
The 2030 World Cup bid features an impressive selection of nearly 20 stadiums, each reflecting the unique character and strengths of the host nations. These venues, either newly constructed or renovated, are designed to combine innovation, tradition, and world-class architecture, ensuring an unforgettable tournament experience.
The bid also highlights extensive accommodations, with over 30,000 hotel facilities and 500,000 rooms secured across the candidate cities.
The competition to host the prestigious opening and final matches has narrowed to three iconic stadiums in Morocco and Spain. Portugal, having previously announced it would not allocate additional funds to upgrade or build stadiums, is no longer in contention. The candidates include Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, recently modernized; Barcelona’s Camp Nou, currently undergoing redevelopment; and Casablanca’s future Hassan II Stadium.
The tripartite bid also outlines 94 proposed training camps for participating teams, two camps for referees, and 80 additional venues. The choice for the international refereeing center will be between Casablanca and Madrid, further showcasing the collaboration between the three host nations.
On the other hand, FIFA officially announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s series of remarkable achievements in recent years.
FIFA revealed that Saudi Arabia’s bid achieved the highest score in World Cup history, receiving a remarkable 4.2 out of 5. This rating reflects the Kingdom’s impressive vision and decade-long preparation leading up to 2034.
Saudi Arabia has garnered widespread global support for its 2034 World Cup bid, reflecting the confidence in its ability to host such a prestigious event. This trust stems from the Kingdom’s recent track record of successfully organizing numerous high-profile events across various sectors, particularly in sports. Notable examples include hosting the Club World Cup and the Italian, Spanish, and African Super Cups.
To prepare for the tournament, Saudi Arabia is equipping itself with 15 state-of-the-art stadiums, 134 training facilities, and 230,000 hotel units strategically located in host and supporting cities.
The 2034 World Cup will mark a historic milestone as the first edition to feature 48 teams competing in a single country, making it an unprecedented and exceptional event on Saudi soil.
