The 2030 FIFA World Cup will become the first tournament in the competition’s history to cross confederation boundaries, with Morocco, Portugal and Spain confirmed as joint hosts. The event will also feature special centenary matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to mark 100 years since the inaugural tournament.
FIFA’s Council unanimously approved the three-nation bid in October 2023, selecting the Mediterranean and North African partnership over a rival proposal from South America. The tournament is scheduled to begin on 13 June 2030 and will take place across 17 host cities.
Six nations, three continents
This edition will extend across six countries on three continents, making it the most geographically expansive World Cup yet. While Morocco, Portugal and Spain will stage the majority of matches, the opening centenary celebrations will honour the tournament’s origins in South America.
Uruguay will host a special match at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, the stadium that held the 1930 final when the hosts defeated Argentina 4-2. Both Argentina and Paraguay will also stage one match each. Paraguay’s inclusion recognises its status as the home of CONMEBOL, which was the only confederation in existence when the first World Cup took place.
A unique centenary celebration ceremony is planned for Montevideo during the week before the tournament kicks off.
Format and expansion talks
The competition will maintain the 48-team format introduced in 2026, though officials have discussed expanding further to 64 nations for the centenary edition. CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez submitted a formal proposal for expansion in 2025, stating: “It will be unique because 100 years are celebrated only once.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has indicated that organisers will examine the possibility of adding 16 further teams after the 2026 tournament concludes. No final decision has been confirmed regarding the expansion.
Host cities and legacy
The 17 host cities include Marrakech and Tangier in Morocco; Porto and Lisbon in Portugal; and Barcelona, Madrid and San Sebastián in Spain. Eleven of the proposed 20 stadiums are located in Spain.
The arrangement carries significant implications for future bidding cycles. Because Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay are hosting matches, CONMEBOL is ineligible to bid for the 2034 tournament. FIFA has already awarded the 2034 edition to Saudi Arabia, leaving Asia and Oceania as the only eligible confederations for that hosting cycle.
Morocco’s role marks the first time the World Cup will visit North Africa. The nation recently staged the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, while Portugal hosted Euro 2004 and Spain last welcomed the World Cup in 1982.