Saudi Arabia to Host 2034 FIFA World Cup, 2030 Edition Spans Three Continents

Saudi Arabia has been officially announced as the host for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, while the 2030 edition will be shared among Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with celebratory matches held in three South American nations, FIFA confirmed on Wednesday.

The announcement was made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a virtual extraordinary Congress. Both the 2030 and 2034 tournaments had single bidders and were approved unanimously.

The 2030 World Cup will span three continents and six nations, marking the tournament's centenary. Uruguay, the host of the inaugural World Cup in 1930, along with Argentina and Paraguay, will host commemorative matches. The main tournament will then continue across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, making it the first time Portugal, Paraguay, and Morocco will host World Cup games.

In 2034, Saudi Arabia will become the second Middle Eastern nation to host the tournament, following Qatar’s successful staging in 2022. This historic event underscores FIFA's ongoing commitment to bringing football to diverse regions around the globe.

"We are expanding football to more countries, and the increase in the number of teams has not diluted quality—it has enhanced opportunities," said Infantino, emphasizing the inclusivity of the expanded World Cup format.

This decision highlights FIFA's vision of uniting nations through the global appeal of football, as Saudi Arabia prepares to welcome the world’s biggest sporting event in a region with a growing passion for the game.