Morocco, Spain and Portugal have been named hosts of the 2030 soccer World Cup. Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host the opening matches to mark the tournament’s centenary, world soccer body Fifa said in a surprise announcement on Wednesday.

Fifa said the joint bid from Morocco, Portugal and Spain was the sole candidate to host the tournament. Fifa were due to announce the hosts next year.

Moroccan players celebrate with Achraf Hakimi (centre) after he scored the penalty kick that sent Morocco to the quarterfinals of the Fifa World Cup 2022 at Education City Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on 6 December 2022. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Mohamed Messara)

The inaugural World Cup in 1930 was held in Uruguay and won by the hosts after they defeated Argentina in the final in Montevideo.

Spain has been awarded the World Cup weeks after their disgraced former chief Luis Rubiales was forced to step down following his allegedly unsolicited kiss on the lips of player Jenni Hermoso at the Women’s World Cup.

Wednesday’s decision by Fifa marks the first time the World Cup will be staged across three continents and six countries, which might mean group matches will have to be held in different seasons based on the hemisphere.

“The Fifa Council unanimously agreed that the sole candidacy will be the combined bid of Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, which will host the event in 2030 and qualify automatically from the existing slot allocation subject to the completion of a successful bidding process conducted by Fifa and a decision by the Fifa Congress in 2024,” a statement read.

“Additionally, having taken into account the historical context of the first-ever Fifa World Cup, the Council further unanimously agreed to host a unique centenary celebration ceremony in the country’s capital, Montevideo… as well as three World Cup matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay respectively.”

The 2022 World Cup was held in Qatar. Argentina are the defending champions.

Lionel Messi of Argentina (centre) lifts the trophy to celebrate with teammates and fans after winning the Fifa World Cup 2022 Final against France at Lusail stadium, Qatar, on 18 December 2022. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Tolga Bozoglu)

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) said their team “will play the first match of the 2030 group stage at home and with its people”.

“In a divided world, Fifa and football are uniting,” Fifa president Gianni Infantino said.

“The Council … unanimously agreed to celebrate the centenary of the Fifa World Cup, whose first edition was played in Uruguay in 1930, in the most appropriate way.

“As a result, a celebration will take place in South America and three South American countries – Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay – will organise one match each of the Fifa World Cup 2030.”

Infantino said the first of these three matches would be played at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario, where the first World Cup took place in 1930.

Robert Harrison, the president of the Paraguayan Football Association, said Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay would automatically qualify for the World Cup, but did not clarify what that would mean for the South American qualifying competition.

World Cup returns to Spain

While Portugal and Morocco have never hosted the World Cup, Spain last hosted the tournament in 1982.

Pedro Rocha, President of the Management Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, said they were excited to bring it back to the country, which won the World Cup in 2010.

“I am sure that together with Morocco and Portugal we will organise the best World Cup in history,” he said.

Portugal, which hosted the European Championship in 2004, has finally succeeded in the World Cup bidding process after failing to secure hosting rights for the 2018 and 2022 editions along with Spain.

Mislav Orsic (left) of Croatia in action against Achraf Hakimi of Morocco during the Fifa World Cup 2022 third-place match at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on 17 December 2022. (Photo: EPA-EFE / Tolga Bozoglu)

Fernando Gomes, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, said: “Each of our countries brings a vibrant footballing tradition, unrivalled organisational experience and a capacity for innovation that will undoubtedly leave its mark on the future of the competition.”

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI welcomed Fifa’s decision. The African nation stunned the world in Qatar last year when they became the first team from the continent to reach the semifinals.

“His Majesty King Mohammed VI … has the great pleasure of announcing to the Moroccan people that the Fifa Council has unanimously selected the Morocco-Spain-Portugal bid as the sole candidate to organise the 2030 football World Cup,” Morocco’s Royal Office said.

Morocco will be the second African country to host the World Cup after South Africa in 2010.

Fifa also said that the 2034 World Cup will be held in the Asia or Oceania region, with member associations from those territories invited to bid to host the tournament.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced its intention to bid for the 2034 edition, state news agency SPA said.

The 2026 edition will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Reuters/DM

Reaction to the news

Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Costa

“We congratulate the Portuguese Football Federation for their commitment and hard work. We are delighted with this partnership with Spain and Morocco, with the certainty that it will be yet another demonstration of our capacity and proven track record in organising major events.”

Acting Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez

“The designation of Spain, Portugal and Morocco to organise the 2030 World Cup is great news… We will demonstrate the strength of our country’s football … and we will defend the values of equality, solidarity and healthy competition that should accompany sport.

President of Conmebol Alejandro Dominguez

“We aimed high and dreamed big. The 2030 Centenario World Cup starts where it all began.”

President of Uruguay Luis Lacalle Pou

“One hundred years later, Uruguay and our centennial will be the centre of the world’s attention to experience the inauguration of the #MundialCentenario 2030. This recognition does justice to those pioneers who built the history of football! Thank you!”

President of Paraguay Santiago Pena

“We are a country that is prepared for great things, we just have to believe in ourselves and work together to take our country to the place it deserves. Let’s go Paraguay!” Reuters/DM