FIFA has confirmed that the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia, while the 2030 tournament will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
To commemorate the competition’s centenary, three matches in the 2030 World Cup will also be held in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, the inaugural hosts of the first tournament in 1930.
The announcements were made during FIFA’s Extraordinary Congress, held virtually with representatives from all 211 member nations participating via video link.
The decisions for both tournaments and the 2030 centenary celebrations were finalized through two separate votes.
- The first vote designated Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay as hosts for the centenary matches.
- The second vote confirmed Spain, Portugal, and Morocco as the primary hosts for the 2030 tournament, as well as Saudi Arabia as the 2034 host.
Voting was conducted by “acclamation,” where members expressed their approval by clapping via video links. Norway abstained from approving the 2034 decision, citing concerns over the bidding process rather than Saudi Arabia’s selection. Switzerland also requested its observations be included in the meeting minutes.
The lack of alternative options for the votes raised concerns, adding to the controversy surrounding the process. Saudi Arabia’s successful bid for 2034 follows criticism of the kingdom’s heavy investment in sports, often referred to as “sportswashing”—a strategy to enhance its global image despite concerns about its human rights record and environmental policies.
Of the 15 stadiums identified for the 2034 tournament, only four are currently completed. The 2030 World Cup will mark the tournament’s 100th anniversary. Matches in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay will honor the origins of the competition, while Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will host the majority of the tournament.
More updates regarding preparations for both tournaments are expected in the coming months.
