2030 World Cup to span six countries on three continents
FIFA plans centenary matches in South America before Spain, Portugal and Morocco stage most of the 48-team tournament.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
The 2030 men’s FIFA World Cup is set to be played across six countries, making it the first edition of the tournament spread over three continents. FIFA’s plan ties the event to the competition’s centenary, with early matches in South America before most games are staged in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
According to FIFA’s proposed timetable, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will stage centenary matches on June 8 and 9. The main opening ceremony and first matches in Morocco, Portugal and Spain are expected on June 13 and 14, with the final expected on July 21, though FIFA has not released the full calendar.
Six host nations, with three main co-hosts
Spain, Portugal and Morocco will host the bulk of the 2030 tournament, FIFA says. Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will each host one opening-round match before the remaining fixtures continue in the three main host countries.
FIFA says Uruguay’s role marks its staging of the first World Cup in 1930. Argentina’s match recognizes its place as runner-up in that inaugural tournament, while Paraguay was included because it is home to CONMEBOL, which FIFA says was the only continental football confederation in existence at the time.
The six host countries have automatically qualified for the tournament, according to FIFA. That gives Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay places in the finals, while the remaining 42 spots are due to be settled through continental qualifying competitions.
Schedule still incomplete
FIFA’s proposed schedule gives the teams involved in the three South American matches extra time for travel, rest and preparation before their next group games. Teams in the groups containing Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay that do not play in the centenary matches are expected to begin on June 15 and 16.
The second round of matches in those groups is scheduled for June 21 and 22, according to FIFA’s plan. The governing body has not confirmed the complete match list, venues or full daily schedule.
Format set at 48 teams for now
The 2030 World Cup is currently planned as a 48-team tournament, the same size as the format introduced for the 2026 event in the United States, Canada and Mexico. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has also said the governing body will look at a proposal to increase the field to 64 teams.
Infantino told Swiss outlet Bluewin that the 48-team format had been a “huge success” because it allowed more countries to play at the top level and helped grow football globally. Asked about a 64-team World Cup, he said the idea “will be examined and discussed”.
A centenary edition
FIFA says the World Cup grew out of the men’s football tournaments at the 1924 and 1928 Olympic Games, both won by Uruguay. FIFA approved plans for its own national-team tournament in May 1928 and chose Uruguay to host the first edition.
The inaugural World Cup was held in July 1930 with 13 teams. FIFA records show Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in the final at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario to become the first men’s world champion.
The tournament expanded from 13 teams in 1930 to 32 in 1998 and then to 48 in 2026, according to FIFA. After the 2030 centenary edition, the next men’s World Cup is scheduled for 2034 in Saudi Arabia, which FIFA confirmed as host in December 2024 after it became the only bidder.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.