FIFA to announce 2030 and 2034 World Cup hosts: Saudi Arabia and joint bid of Morocco, Spain, and Portugal
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FIFA is set to confirm the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups during a virtual Congress on Wednesday.
The 2030 tournament will be awarded to a unique joint bid by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, while Saudi Arabia is expected to secure the 2034 hosting rights.
Both bids are unopposed, making their selection a foregone conclusion.
The 2030 World Cup will commemorate 100 years since the inaugural tournament, held in Uruguay. In a nod to its origins, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will each host a single game as part of the centenary celebrations. This unprecedented arrangement spans three continental confederations and marks a significant milestone in FIFA's history.
Morocco, joining Spain and Portugal, will become only the second African country to host the World Cup after South Africa in 2010. The nation plans to construct a mega-stadium, the Hassan II stadium, between Casablanca and Rabat, projected to seat 115,000 spectators. Meanwhile, Spain, a key player in the bid, boasts 11 of the 20 proposed venues, with potential final locations including Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu and Barcelona's revamped Camp Nou. Portugal, contributing three stadiums, hopes to host a semi-final in Lisbon or Porto.
The tournament will begin in the southern hemisphere during winter and later shift to Europe and North Africa for the remaining matches, culminating in the final on July 21.
The 2034 World Cup will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, the sole bidder after Australia and Indonesia withdrew their candidacies. The decision aligns with FIFA’s continental rotation policy, as the 2026 tournament will be held across North America.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting rights come with significant logistical and ethical challenges. With only two stadiums meeting FIFA’s required capacity of 40,000, the kingdom must build several venues to accommodate the tournament. Additionally, scorching summer temperatures may force the event to be rescheduled, though Ramadan in December poses another scheduling conflict.
The selection has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who highlight issues such as mass executions, restricted freedoms, and the country's male guardianship system. Critics argue that Saudi Arabia's growing involvement in high-profile sporting events, including Formula One and the WTA Finals, is a form of "sportswashing" aimed at improving its global image.
