The 2026 World Cup ended this Sunday (19), but the countdown to the next edition has already begun. In 2030, the tournament will celebrate 100 years with an unprecedented configuration: six countries, spread across three continents, will participate in the organization.
2030 World Cup will have six venues and games on three continents; understand
The 2026 World Cup ended this Sunday (19), but the countdown to the next edition has already begun. In 2030, the tournament will celebrate 100 years with an unprecedented configuration: six countries, spread across...
Spain, Portugal and Morocco will be the main hosts, while Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will each host a commemorative match. The choice was made official by FIFA in December 2024.
The proposal aims to remember the first World Cup, played in Uruguay in 1930. The three clashes in South America will open the centenary celebrations before the rest of the competition heads to Europe and Africa.
How will the 2030 World Cup be divided?
Most of the games will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. The three countries presented a joint candidacy and will host practically the entire tournament.
Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will participate in the symbolic opening, with one match in each territory. After these commitments, the teams involved will travel to the countries where the competition will take place.
FIFA has already confirmed that the first game of the edition will be held in Uruguay, the country that hosted and won the inaugural World Cup. The match will take place in the same setting as the 1930 final, the Centenário stadium, in Montevideo.
Why were Argentina and Paraguay also chosen?
The Argentine presence represents the country's participation in the decision of the first World Cup, when it ended with runner-up against Uruguay.
Paraguay is home to the headquarters of Conmebol, the only continental confederation that existed when the competition was created. The inclusion of the three countries was articulated by South American representatives as part of the tournament's 100th anniversary celebrations.
Which countries will host a World Cup for the first time?
Portugal, Morocco and Paraguay have never hosted men's World Cup matches.
Spain organized the 1982 World Cup, won by Italy. Argentina hosted the 1978 edition and won the first title in its history. Uruguay, in turn, was the host and champion of the inaugural tournament in 1930.
Which stadiums will be able to host the games?
The candidacy from Spain, Portugal and Morocco presented 20 stadiums, but FIFA must still confirm the definitive list of cities and arenas.
Spain has the largest number of options, with stadiums planned in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Seville, Málaga, Zaragoza and San Sebastián.
Portugal presented three arenas, two in Lisbon and one in Porto. In Morocco, the proposal includes stadiums in Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, Rabat and Tangier.
One of the most prominent projects is the Grand Stade Hassan II, planned for Casablanca and designed to receive up to 115 thousand fans.
In South America, the games are expected to be held at the Centenário stadium, in Montevideo, at the Monumental de Núñez, in Buenos Aires, and at a national arena in Asunción.
How will logistics between continents work?
The commemorative games in South America will take place before the main schedule begins in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
The calendar must reserve a break so that the teams can travel, rest and adapt to the new time zone before taking the field again.
The organization represents one of the biggest challenges of the edition, as teams and fans will have to travel long distances between continents.
When will the 2030 World Cup be played?
The planning presented foresees that the centenary celebrations will begin on June 8th and 9th, 2030, with the debuts of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Opening games in the main host countries are scheduled for June 13th and 14th. The final should be held on July 21st.
The dates, however, may still undergo adjustments before the definitive calendar is released.
How many teams will participate?
The currently planned format maintains the 48 teams used for the first time in the 2026 World Cup.
The possibility of expanding the tournament to 64 participants was discussed, but was not officially approved. Therefore, until a possible change announced by FIFA, the 2030 World Cup will continue to be planned for 48 teams.
Which teams are already classified?
The six countries involved in the organization have guaranteed places: Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. FIFA confirmed that automatic classifications will be deducted from the quotas of their respective confederations.
The remaining teams will be defined in the continental qualifiers, which should begin in the coming years.
After a World Cup held between Canada, the United States and Mexico, the World Cup will once again cross borders in 2030. This time, however, the competition will reach three continents and will use history itself as a starting point to celebrate its centenary.
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Source: Noticias ao Minuto - Ultima Hora
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