FIFA on Wednesday, confirmed the hosts of the 2030 and 2034 men's World Cups, with a three-continent, six-nation bid led by Morocco, Spain and Portugal was awarded the former and the latter going to Saudi Arabia.
The development was confirmed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the football governing body’s extraordinary Congress, held virtually.
"We are bringing football to more countries and the number of teams has not diluted the quality. It actually enhanced the opportunity," Infantino said about the 2030 World Cup.
The upcoming edition of the global event will be staged across three continents and six countries, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay hosting centenary matches to open the tournament.
Uruguay has hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1930, while Spain and Argentina have also staged the tournament previously. However, Portugal, Paraguay and Morocco will be the first-time hosts.
Four years later, Saudi Arabia will become only the second country from middle-east to host the extravaganza, 12 years after neighbouring country Qatar, who staged the 2022 edition.
Notably, FIFA had announced last year that the 2034 edition of the men’s World Cup will be held in Asia or Oceania region.
As a result, Australia and Indonesia discussed proposing a joint bid but dropped out, leaving Saudi Arabia as the sole bidder, who also had the support of the Asian Football Federation.
Besides Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Spain and Portugal were also the sole bidder for the preceding event.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.
