FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday made official what was expected for more than a year, officially announcing that the 2030 men’s World Cup will be hosted in six countries on three continents: Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay in South America, Morocco. North Africa and Portugal and Spain in Europe.
Saudi Arabia has also been nominated as the host of the 2034 World Cup.
What could have been world-shaking news – which nations will host the future of the most famous international event, sporting or otherwise, in the world – was instead anticlimactic.
FIFA has signed off on its intentions for both quadrennial tournaments in October 2023, and both winning bids went unopposed, making Wednesday’s vote by the 211 member nations during FIFA’s congress little more than a rubber stamp.
FIFA last year revealed its plans to play the opening game of the 2030 World Cup – the 100th anniversary of the first soccer show in Uruguay – in that country’s capital, Montevideo, with the second and third games also in South America, ahead of other matches. the competition goes across the Atlantic. Morocco, Paraguay and Portugal will see live World Cup matches for the first time. Spain will host the event for the first time since 1982, while Morocco will be the second African country (and the first in North Africa) to host the World Cup, following South Africa in 2010.
“What better way to celebrate 100 years in 2030 than with a World Cup in six countries, on three continents, with 48 teams and 104 historic matches,” said Infantino. “The world will stand up and celebrate 100 years of the World Cup.”
Saudi Arabia was also confirmed as host in 2034 last year when Australia, its only rival, withdrew its bid. Other potential candidates were prevented from throwing their hats in the ring. FIFA’s continental rotation policy means bids for the tournament cannot come from Africa, Europe or even South America, which were declared ineligible despite hosting just three of the 104 World Cups in 2030.
The 2034 event will be the first World Cup in Saudi Arabia, the second in the Middle East and the third World Cup in the Arab World in twelve years. Qatar, a neighbor of Saudi Arabia, hosted the tournament two years ago. Like then, the 2034 edition is expected to be played in November and December due to the hot summer temperatures in the region.
The seven host countries that were announced on Wednesday will reserve a place in the World Cup to be played in their area.
“We bring football to many countries,” said Infantino. “The congressional vote is loud and clear.”
The Saudis have poured money into football in recent years, using a national investment fund to buy Premier League club Newcastle United and luring stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to their oil-rich home region.
The choice of Saudi Arabia was not without controversy, however, with critics blasting the country’s human rights record.
“FIFA’s reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring proper human rights protections will put many lives at risk,” said Amnesty International’s Steve Cockburn.
Infantino suggested that awarding the World Cup to Saudi Arabia would be “a catalyst for positive changes in society” there.
“I fully trust our hosts to face all the open points,” said Infantino, “and deliver a World Cup that meets the world’s expectations.”
Doug McIntyre is a football reporter for FOX Sports. A staff writer with ESPN and Yahoo Sports before joining FOX Sports in 2021, he has covered United States men’s and women’s national teams in the FIFA World Cup on five continents. Follow him @by DougMcIntyre.
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