The 2030 World Cup is set to have an even bigger footprint than the 2026 edition, which featured 48 teams for the first time and was played in three countries.
How many countries will host the 2030 World Cup?
Technically three. The tournament is set to be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain, marking the first time the World Cup will be held in more than one confederation and the first time it will visit north Africa. In addition, a special match is scheduled at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay – the stadium that hosted the 1930 World Cup final. There will also be one match each in Argentina and Paraguay.
How did this come about?
The bidding process began in 2022, with the host selected at the 2024 Fifa congress. Uefa federations Spain and Portugal added Morocco to their joint bid in 2023. Conmebol federations Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile launched a joint bid with a proposed tournament name of “Centenary World Cup”. In October 2023, the Fifa council unanimously selected the Morocco-Portugal-Spain bid over the South American bid.
Why are South America still hosting some games?
Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced that Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay would host one match each to celebrate the centenary of the World Cup. Uruguay hosted and won the inaugural edition in 1930. A game will also be played in Paraguay in recognition of the country’s role as the home of Conmebol. Fifa has also announced “a unique centenary celebration ceremony” in Montevideo the week before the tournament begins on 13 June 2030.
How many teams will take part?
Initially 48 teams, but Infantino raised the prospect of expansion with a further 16 nations. “That’s definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup,” Infantino said. “When organising a World Cup, it’s important to organise it for the whole world – not just Europe and South America – but effectively the entire world.” An expansion to 64 teams had been suggested in 2025 by Conmebol president Alejandro Domínguez. “[It] will be unique because 100 years are celebrated only once,” Domínguez said.
What will it look like?
The 2030 World Cup will take place across 17 host cities – one more than the 2026 edition – with 11 of the proposed 20 stadiums located in Spain. Among the host cities are Marrakech and Tangier in Morocco, Porto and Lisbon in Portugal, and Barcelona, Madrid and San Sebastián in Spain.
The main talking point so far?
The inclusion of the centenary match hosts. By rejecting the South American host bid but declaring that Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay would host one match each, Fifa ensured that Conmebol would be ineligible to bid for the 2034 World Cup. The 2034 edition has since been awarded to Saudi Arabia, a decision heavily criticised by human rights groups.
