The Fifa World Cup will return to Africa in 2030 after Fifa’s governing council approved an alteration to the tournament's tradition on Wednesday where three continents and six countries have been selected to host the event as part of its centenary edition.
The three continents where the tournament will be held are Africa, South America and Europe.
In the unusual arrangement, three South American countries—Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay, will each host a single opening match and then join the rest for the remainder of the tournament, which will take place in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
The tournament has never been played in more than one continent and the move by the governing council caught even seasoned Fifa watchers by surprise.
Morocco had earlier submitted five bids to be the sole hosts of the tournament in 1994, 1998 and 2006, 2010. Morocco tried again for 2026 but the tournament was awarded to a joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
South Africa hosted the first-ever World Cup tournament in Africa.
Fifa president, Gianni Infantino announced the Council’s decision stating that the tournament’s first game would take place in the stadium where it all began and that it was a way of uniting the World.
“In a divided world, Fifa and football are united. The Fifa council representing the entire world of football unanimously agreed to celebrate the centenary edition of the World Cup whose first edition was played in Uruguay in 2030 in the most appropriate way,” the Fifa boss said.
“As a result, the celebration will take place in South America and three South American countries; Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will organise one match each of the Fifa World Cup. The first of these three matches will be played at the stadium where it all began Estadio Centenario.”
Morocco successfully hosted the Women's Africa Cup of Nations last year and is expected to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations) as well as the 2023 Caf (Confederation of African Football) awards.
Morocco also hosted the 2022 Fifa Club World Cup, 2021-22 Caf Champions League final, 2022 Caf Super Cup, 2022 Caf awards and 2023 U-23 Afcon.
Infantino also added that the Fifa Council had decided that the 2034 edition would move East to Asia and Australia in order to ensure appropriate rotation between continents.
“2034 will move to the East to Asia and Oceania to ensure appropriate rotation between continents. In a divided world, Fifa and world football are united,” Infantino said.
The decision and timing have paved the way for Saudi Arabia to throw in their bid to host the World Cup in 2034 and within hours of the announcement, the kingdom had unveiled its bid.
