FIFA has confirmed that the 2030 Centenary World Cup will be held in six different countries – and on three separate continents.
The European duo, Spain and Portugal, and the neighboring African country, Morocco, were the host countries for the tournament, which was announced by President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday.
But the opening three matches will be held in South America to mark the 100th anniversary of the first ever World Cup in 1930.
Here's everything you need to know about the 100th anniversary of the World Cup.
Why will six countries host the 2030 World Cup?
South American quartet Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay have submitted a joint bid to host the 2030 tournament in early 2023.
Spain and Portugal have already submitted joint bids to host 2021, with Ukraine added as a third host country the following year after Russia invaded.
But due to safety concerns due to the ongoing war, Ukraine was replaced by the African country Morocco – with the trio eventually named as the sole candidates for the tender.
But FIFA still chose to hold some of the tournament in South America, given the fact that it has been 100 years since the first World Cup, which was held in Uruguay when CONMEBOL was the sole governing body.
A match played in both the 1930 host country, Uruguay, home of that year's winners Argentina, and Paraguay, where CONMEBOL is headquartered.
Introducing the hosts for the next two editions of @FIFAWorldCup! 🏆
Morocco, Portugal and Spain will host the 2030 edition, with matches celebrating the centenary being held in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Four years later, Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup™. pic.twitter.com/WdOEdNEVxH
– FIFA (@FIFAcom) December 11, 2024
What stadiums are used?
The official stadium list has not yet been confirmed, but the official bid evaluation report contained 20 stadiums, divided between the three host nations.
Spain is set to host the largest number of matches after introducing 11 stadiums, including Barcelona's Camp Nou – which is currently being renovated to increase its capacity to 105,000 – and Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu.
Portugal will use three stadiums – Estadio José Alvalade, Estadio da Luz and Estadio do Dragao – which are the homes of Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Porto respectively.
Morocco has put forward six stadiums, five of which are already in use and a new stadium scheduled to be built in Casablanca.
What will the format be?
The tournament will be the second ever to feature 48 teams after the tournament's expansion for 2026, having previously had 32 teams since 1992.
Teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two teams and the eight best third-placed teams qualifying for the Extra Round of 32.
A total of 104 matches will be played during the tournament.
FIFA says the match schedule will be adjusted to give teams participating in the centenary matches in South America enough time to travel and rest.
The tournament will be held from June 8, with the final match being held on July 21, 2030.
Who can qualify for the 2030 World Cup?
Morocco, Portugal and Spain – as well as Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay – automatically qualify for the tournament as host nations.
The qualifying quota has not yet been confirmed, but this is how places have been allocated for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that also includes 48 teams.
