FIFA is expected to confirm Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup, while a joint bid by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, including matches in South America, will host the 2030 tournament. The decision will be finalized during a virtual FIFA Congress vote, with no rival bids for either event.
For 2034, FIFA restricted bids to Asia or Oceania under its rotation policy, following the 2026 World Cup in North America. A brief one-month submission period saw potential bids from Australia and Indonesia withdrawn, leaving Saudi Arabia as the sole candidate. This decision marks the Gulf region’s quick return as a host after Qatar in 2022.
Despite limited infrastructure—only two stadiums currently meet the 40,000-seat requirement of 14—Saudi Arabia will host the event. However, challenges such as extreme summer heat and Ramadan in December 2034 could necessitate scheduling adjustments. The decision also raises renewed concerns about human rights, similar to Qatar’s hosting in 2022.
For the 2030 World Cup, FIFA has confirmed the unprecedented joint bid by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, alongside celebratory matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to mark the tournament’s centenary. This unique arrangement spans three continental confederations.
Spain will lead the 2030 hosting with 11 proposed stadiums, while Portugal offers three venues. Morocco, hosting for the first time after five failed attempts, will feature a new Hassan II stadium with a 115,000 capacity. Matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will honor the centenary, but teams and fans must cross the Atlantic for subsequent games.
The 2030 final is slated for July 21, with potential venues including Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu, Barcelona’s Camp Nou, and the Hassan II stadium in Morocco.
