In a groundbreaking announcement, the presidents of the football federations of Morocco, Spain, and Portugal revealed their collective aspiration to host the most exceptional edition of the FIFA World Cup in 2030.
Reported by the Spanish news agency “EFE,” Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, expressed that the awarding of the World Cup to Morocco in partnership with Spain and Portugal signifies a historic moment for Moroccan football and a significant achievement under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
Lekjaa emphasized that the Kingdom is honored by this distinction, viewing it as a tremendous responsibility that will unify efforts among the three neighboring nations to create history and organize a tournament of unprecedented magnitude.
On the other hand, Pedro Roche, President of the Spanish Football Federation, declared that the 2030 World Cup would go down in history as the best ever, underscoring the importance of bringing the tournament back to Spain after half a century since its last hosting.
Roche added, “I am convinced that, along with Morocco and Portugal, we will be able to organize the greatest World Cup ever.”
Fernando Gomes, President of the Portuguese Football Federation, echoed these sentiments, stating that “the three nations bring vibrant football traditions, unparalleled organizational experience, and an innovative capacity that will undoubtedly shape the competition’s future.”
The FIFA made the official announcement on Wednesday that the 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. Additionally, the initial three matches of the tournament will take place in South America, specifically in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, as part of the centennial celebration of the competition.
The selection of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, which submitted a joint bid, was highly anticipated. While the three nations have not been formally designated yet, this decision will be made next year through a vote involving all FIFA member countries. The FIFA Council, the governing body of global football, chose to exclusively consider this joint bid, making it highly likely to be awarded. While Spain previously hosted the World Cup in 1982, it will mark the first time for Portugal and, more notably, Morocco, which had previously competed for hosting rights in 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010, and 2026. Teams from these three countries will automatically qualify for the tournament.
The inclusion of a third continent, South America, and three additional host nations, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, is a surprising development, making a total of six host countries, an unprecedented situation. This choice is attributed to the fact that the 2030 World Cup will mark its centenary, with the inaugural edition taking place in Uruguay in 1930, where Uruguay emerged victorious against Argentina.
In 1996, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) hesitated to award the Centennial Olympic Games to Athens, ultimately choosing Atlanta. However, the FIFA operates differently, as it organizes the World Cup with nations rather than cities, allowing for greater flexibility in accommodating economic and political interests. In its statement, the FIFA sees this multi-nation arrangement as a union not only in celebrating football but also in unique social and cultural cohesion, conveying a message of peace, tolerance, and inclusion.
Likely, the three matches scheduled in Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and Asuncion will take place early in the competition. Montevideo is expected to host an opening or commemorative ceremony for the 1930 edition. It is worth noting that the first match in the history of the World Cup was not held at the Centenario Stadium, as it was still under construction, but at the smaller Pocitos Stadium in Montevideo, which has since been demolished and replaced by a supermarket. The 1930 World Cup was actually played in just three stadiums, all located in Montevideo. The FIFA did not explain why Argentina and Paraguay are included in the centennial celebrations, nor did it specify whether Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay would receive automatic qualifications.
Less than a year after the criticized yet well-organized World Cup in Qatar, characterized by fewer stadiums (8 compared to 12 in Russia four years prior) and remarkable compactness (a territory roughly the size of French-speaking Switzerland), the FIFA Council has made a decision favoring larger scale and longer distances. This decision comes ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 teams and three host countries (Canada, the United States, and Mexico).
The FIFA appears to pay little attention to ecological considerations, despite their increasing prominence. Teams will inevitably have to play and travel, along with their supporters, across two or even three different continents. Perhaps the tournament has grown so massive that it can withstand being divided into multiple segments. The FIFA’s statement also hints that the 2034 edition will be entrusted to one or more countries from the Asia/Oceania region, inviting national football federations from these continents to submit their bids, as Saudi Arabia did later that evening.
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