The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is holding a special conference today, Wednesday, to finalize the host countries for the 2030 and 2034 FIFA World Cups. Member associations will vote on the two sole bids that have met the minimum evaluation criteria.
During this virtual meeting, FIFA is expected to unanimously approve hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup to the joint bid from Morocco, Spain, and Portugal as part of the centenary celebration of the global tournament, while Saudi Arabia will be designated to host the 2034 edition.
In October 2023, FIFA’s Council unanimously endorsed the Morocco-Spain-Portugal joint bid as the sole candidate for the 2030 World Cup, as well as Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 tournament.
For Morocco, this decision marks the culmination of a four-decade-long aspiration, making it the second African and Arab nation to host the World Cup after South Africa and Qatar.
The joint bid unites the western Mediterranean shores, showcasing shared historical, geographical, and cultural ties that are rarely brought together in a single candidacy.
The 2030 World Cup will thus embody the rich cultural interactions and dynamic exchanges between the northern and southern Mediterranean that have shaped centuries of human civilization.
Moreover, by embracing the concept of legacy, a cornerstone of major sports events, this World Cup represents an opportunity for fostering unity, mutual understanding, and coexistence in a world increasingly marked by tension and conflict.
To honor the historical context of the tournament’s inaugural edition, FIFA’s Council unanimously decided to commemorate the centenary in Montevideo, Uruguay, the host city of the 1930 tournament. Three matches will also be held in Argentina and Paraguay, with one match per country.
