The 2030 World Cup is set to be played in Europe, Africa and South America to allow the tournament to start with a 100th birthday party in Uruguay.
A unique 2030 World Cup is set to be played in Europe and Africa with the surprising addition of South America in a deal to allow the men’s soccer tournament to start with a 100th birthday celebration in Uruguay.
FIFA reached an agreement Wednesday between soccer’s continental leaders to accept only one candidate for hosting the 2030 tournament, the sport’s governing body said.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
The Spain-Portugal bid grew to add Morocco this year and now also includes longtime bid rivals Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
A key lure of the unprecedented three-continent project will be opening in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, where the Centenario Stadium hosted the inaugural 1930 World Cup final.
« The centennial World Cup could not be far from South America, where everything began, » said Alejandro Domínguez, president of South American soccer governing body CONMEBOL. « The 2030 World Cup will be played in three continents. »
The consensus reached by once-rival soccer continents also let FIFA fast-track opening the 2034 World Cup bidding contest Wednesday; the bidding is limited to member federations from Asia and Oceania.
