The next North America World Cup will take place in 2030, marking the 100th anniversary of the FIFA World Cup, which began in Uruguay in 1930.
The 2030 World Cup will feature a unique hosting format. Morocco, Portugal, and Spain will serve as the main host countries, while Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will host one commemorative match each. This will be the first time in World Cup history that matches are held across six countries on three continents: Europe, Africa, and South America.
According to the schedule released by FIFA, the tournament will kick off in South America on June 8 or 9, 2030. The opening ceremony and Uruguay's first match will take place in the capital, Montevideo, along with the first matches for Argentina and Paraguay. These matches will be official group stage games, not friendly matches or separate pre-events.
Following this, the official opening ceremony and inaugural match will occur in the main host countries of Morocco, Portugal, and Spain on June 13 or 14. The final is scheduled for July 21. However, this is a preliminary schedule from FIFA, and specific matchups, venues, and kickoff times will be confirmed later.
Morocco, Portugal, and Spain were officially selected as the host countries for the 2030 World Cup during a FIFA extraordinary congress held via video conference on December 11, 2024. The proposal was approved by acclamation from the 211 FIFA member associations. Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay were named as hosts for the commemorative matches.
The inclusion of the three South American countries is rooted in the history of the first World Cup. The inaugural tournament in 1930 featured 13 countries, with Uruguay defeating Argentina 4-2 in the final held at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.
FIFA has decided to hold the commemorative ceremony and matches in Uruguay, the host and champion of the inaugural tournament. Argentina, as the runner-up in 1930, is also included, while Paraguay is recognized for being home to the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). It is noteworthy that CONMEBOL was the only continental football federation in existence at that time.
Teams playing their first matches in South America will then travel across the Atlantic to continue the group stage in Europe and Africa. FIFA has designed the schedule to allow the six teams playing in South America to have approximately 11 to 12 days for travel and rest before their second match. The remaining six teams in the same group and other participating countries will have about 5 to 6 days between their first and second matches.
The current hosting plan is based on a system of 48 countries, similar to the 2026 tournament. Out of a total of 104 matches, three will be held in South America, while the remaining 101 will take place in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
There is also a possibility of expanding the number of participating countries to 64. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that after the 2026 World Cup, the relevant committee will review and discuss the proposal to increase the number of teams by 16 from the initial 48. However, FIFA has not yet officially approved this expansion.
CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez publicly urged on July 20 for the 2030 World Cup, marking its centenary, to be held with 64 teams. If the expansion is adopted, the current number of matches, tournament schedule, and hosting format in South America may also be adjusted.
Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will automatically qualify for the tournament as host nations. Their spots will be deducted from the allocation of slots for their respective continents.
The 2030 World Cup will commemorate the first tournament held in South America before moving to Europe and Africa for the competition. The next World Cup in 2034 has been confirmed to take place in Saudi Arabia.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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