Morocco, Spain and Portugal have been named hosts of the 2030 soccer World Cup.
This was contained in a statement released by FIFA on Thursday signalling an unprecedented move where the mundial will be held in more than two countries and continent.
Also stated in the release is that Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host the opening matches to mark the tournament’s centenary celebration.
“The FIFA Council unanimously agreed that the sole candidacy will be the combined bid of Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, which will host the event in 2030 and qualify automatically from the existing slot allocation,” FIFA said in a statement.
“Additionally, having taken into account the historical context of the first-ever FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Council further unanimously agreed to host a unique centenary celebration ceremony in the country’s capital, Montevideo… as well as three World Cup matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay respectively.”
The decision marks the first time the World Cup will be organised across three continents and six countries
FIFA president Gianni Infantino described the moment as historical, saying that it signifies the unifying factor that Football has always been.
“In a divided world, FIFA and football are uniting.The FIFA Council unanimously agreed to celebrate the centenary of the FIFA World Cup, whose first edition was played in Uruguay in 1930, in the most appropriate way.
“As a result, a celebration will take place in South America and three South American countries – Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay – will organise one match each of the FIFA World Cup 2030.”
The FIFA Chief said that the first of these three matches would be played at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario, where the first World Cup took place in 1930
The joint bid from Morocco, Portugal and Spain was the sole candidate to host the tournament. FIFA were due to announce the hosts next year.
The inaugural edition of the World Cup in 1930 was held in Uruguay and won by the hosts.
The 2022 World Cup was held in Qatar. Argentina are the defending champions.
FIFA has also said that the 2034 World Cup will be held in the Asia or Oceania region and it’s called member associations from those territories to bid to host the tournament
