Morocco, Spain and Portugal will host the 2030 World Cup, but the tournament’s opening matches will be staged in South America.
A South American bid – put forward to mark the 100-year anniversary of the first World Cup in Uruguay – did not succeed but FIFA has instead opted to stage the opening three games in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
All six host nations will qualify automatically for the event in seven years’ time.
It will be the first time a World Cup has been staged across three continents and six countries, and the first time a host will have come from North Africa.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “In a divided world, FIFA and football are uniting.
“The FIFA Council, representing the entire world of football, 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 first of these three matches will of course be played at the stadium where it all began, in Montevideo’s mythical Estádio Centenário, precisely to celebrate the centenary edition of the FIFA World Cup.
“The FIFA Council also agreed unanimously that the only bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2030 will be the joint bid of Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
“Two continents – Africa and Europe – united not only in a celebration of football but also in providing unique social and cultural cohesion. What a great message of peace, tolerance and inclusion.
“In 2030, we will have a unique global footprint, three continents – Africa, Europe and South America – six countries – Argentina, Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay – welcoming and uniting the world while celebrating together the beautiful game, the centenary and the FIFA World Cup.”
FIFA also invited bids for the 2034 event from countries in the Asian and Oceania confederations.
