2030 FIFA World Cup to be staged in six nations as 2034 edition set to be held in Asia

World football governing body FIFA has announced that the 2030 World Cup is to be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco with initial matches to mark the centenary of the tournament to be held in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

The surprise move to stage the 48-team tournament sees the combination of competing bids for the 2030 tournament and opens the way for Asia and Oceania to host its 2034 edition.

Moving quickly to confirm future hosts, FIFA has set 31st October as the deadline for potential bids to confirm their interest in hosting the 2034 men’s event.

While FIFA’s Council agreed on the ambitious 2030 hosting proposal at a virtual meeting yesterday, the hosting willl need to be confirmed in a vote taken by all 211 FIFA members in the final months of next year.

However, FIFA’s President, Gianni Infantino, describing the Morocco, Portugal and Spain bid as “a great message of peace, tolerance and inclusion”, adding “in a divided world, FIFA and football are uniting.”

World football’s governing body is committed to rotating World Cups between confederations and although the European (UEFA) and African (CAF) bid was the favourite for 2030, Conmebol - the South American confederation - has not hosted a World Cup since 2014 and was looking to commemorate the centenary of the first World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930.

Recognising the anniversary, Infantino said the first match of the 2030 tournament would be held at the Estádio Centenário in Montevideo, the same venue as the first World Cup.

2034 World Cup in Asia
The decision, and the timing, appears to pave the way for Saudi Arabia to host the World Cup in 2034 and within hours the Kingdom unveiled its bid for that tournament.

Saudi Arabian had once been expected to lead a bid alongside Greece and Egypt for 2030, only to stand aside earlier this year.

Now, with FIFA inviting bids from Asia and Oceania to host in 2034, the Saudi Football Federation said it intends to bid alone, with Australian also looking to stage the event, potentially in partnership with Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country.

There may also be a proposal from China, which once set its sights on hosting the World Cup by 2030.

However, the Saudi Arabian Government, which is spending significant funds on football through its Public Investment Fund, appear to be the leading contender.

Saudi Football Federation President, Yasser al-Misehal stated “we believe the time is right for Saudi Arabia to host the FIFA World Cup. Our bid is driven by a love for the game and a desire to see it grow in every corner of the world.”

Australia given 25-day deadline to confirm 2034 World Cup bid
Football Australia, state and federal governments and potential Asian co-hosts have been given just 25 days by FIFA to decide whether they will bid for the 2034 men’s World Cup.

Following the success of its co-hosting of this year’s Women’s World Cup, Football Australia Chief Executive James Johnson, said the governing body is “exploring the possibility” of a 2034 bid. 

Johnson advised “we acknowledge FIFA’s communication regarding the FIF World Cup 2034 and we are encouraged that after the hugely successful FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023, the football family of Asia and Oceania will once again have the opportunity to showcase their ability to welcome the world and host the best FIFA tournaments.”

In August, Johnson told Guardian Australia discussions had started about an Australian 2034 bid.

At the time Johnson explained “what’s important is that the conversations need to begin now, and the agenda needs to begin being shaped because when we do bid for the next Men’s World Cup, we need to be ready.”

Co-hosts, including potentially New Zealand and countries in south-east Asia, will be needed for any Australian bid for the tournament. The bidding documents require a minimum of 14 stadiums.

After the 31st October deadline for associations to confirm interest in bidding, bids must be submitted by July 2024, before a decision is made by FIFA late next year.

Images: The FIFA World Cup trophy (top, credit: Shutterstock), Saudi Arabian fans at the 2018 FIFA World Cup (middletop, credit: Shutterstock) and Football Australia Chief Executive James Johnson (below, credit: Football Australia).