2030 World Cup to be held in Spain, Morocco and Portugal
Spain, Morocco and Portugal will be the host countries for the 2030 World Cup. This has been confirmed by the president of Conmebol, Alejandro Domínguez, who also revealed that the opening matches will be held in Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first edition of the tournament, which was held in Uruguay.
"The FIFA Council unanimously agreed that the only bid will be the combined bid of Morocco, Portugal and Spain, which will host the event in 2030 and will automatically qualify from the existing allocation of places," FIFA announced in a statement. This World Cup will mark a historic milestone for the competition, as for the first time the FIFA World Cup will be played on three continents.
Morocco is expected to host at least one semi-final match, while the match for third place is likely to be held at Camp Nou. Madrid's iconic Santiago Bernabeu is likely to host the final.
While Portugal and Morocco have never hosted the World Cup, Spain hosted the tournament in 1982. "I am sure that together with Morocco and Portugal we will host the best World Cup in history," Pedro Rocha, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation's management committee, was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Morocco's King Mohammed VI welcomed FIFA's decision. "His Majesty King Mohammed VI, God help him, has the great pleasure to announce to the Moroccan people that the FIFA Executive Committee has just unanimously accepted the Morocco-Spain-Portugal bid as the only candidate to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup," said a statement from the royal cabinet.
"This decision by the Executive Committee of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association welcomes and recognises Morocco's chosen place in the concert of great nations," the statement added. At the last World Cup in Qatar, the Moroccan team surprised the whole world by reaching the semi-finals of the competition.
"His Majesty the King takes this opportunity to congratulate the Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of Portugal, while reiterating the commitment of the Kingdom of Morocco to work in perfect synergy with the bodies in charge of the bid in each of the host countries," the statement concluded.
Fernando Gomes, President of the Portuguese Football Federation, stressed that "each of the countries brings a vibrant football tradition, unrivalled organisational experience and a capacity for innovation that will undoubtedly leave its mark on the future of the competition.