- 2030 World Cup hosts: Spain, Portugal, Morocco
- Six nations, climate concerns
- Saudi bid for 2034.
Morocco, Portugal, and Spain won the right to host the 48-team 2030 tournament. However, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will host the initial three matches.
This decision, surprising seasoned Fifa observers, means that six countries will host the 2030 World Cup, each qualifying automatically. This multi-continent approach raised concerns among climate groups.
The decision and timing suggest Saudi Arabia’s potential bid for the 2034 World Cup. Saudi Arabia, previously considering a 2030 bid alongside Greece and Egypt, now plans to submit a bid alone.
Fifa’s council adopted the 2030 proposal in a virtual meeting, pending approval by all 211 Fifa members. Fifa president Gianni Infantino hailed the Morocco, Portugal, and Spain proposal as a message of “peace, tolerance, and inclusion” in a divided world.
While the Uefa/Caf bid was favored for 2030, Conmebol wished to commemorate the centenary of the first World Cup, hosted in Uruguay in 1930. Montevideo’s Estádio Centenário will host the 2030 tournament’s opener.
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Saudi Arabia, Australia, and possibly Indonesia and China may bid for the 2034 World Cup. The Saudi Football Federation believes it’s the right time for Saudi Arabia to host the tournament, citing their passion for the sport and the desire for global football growth.
Environmental organizations expressed dismay over the 2030 announcement. Concerns were raised about the tournament’s carbon footprint and its impact on climate goals.
Football Supporters Europe criticized Fifa for disregarding the environment and human rights concerns related to the potential host nation for 2034.