FIFA has decided to hold the tournament’s three opening games in South America.
FIFA is set to announce a decision to host the 2030 Men’s FIFA World Cup across three continents. The tournament will begin with a celebration of its centenary in South America, where Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will host the opening three matches.
The decision to start in South America pays tribute to the inaugural World Cup held in Uruguay in 1930, which saw Uruguay and Argentina compete in the final. Paraguay’s inclusion is a nod to its role as the home of the South American federation, Conmebol.
Following the opening matches, the World Cup will move to the European and African continents. Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will take over as the main host nations for the rest of the tournament. The prestigious Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, will host both the opening ceremony and the World Cup final.
All six host nations will enjoy automatic qualification, leaving 42 additional spots to be filled through the qualification process.
The announcement was made by Alejandro Dominguez, the Paraguayan Conmebol president and FIFA Council member, who expressed excitement about the historic centenary World Cup. “The 2030 centenary World Cup starts where it all began,” he tweeted. “The host of the opening matches of the centenary World Cup will be Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina.”
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about World Cup
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
