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Fifa World Cup: Saudi Arabia confirmed as 2034 hosts

The 2030 edition will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with one-off matches in three South American countries

Published: Wed 11 Dec 2024, 7:57 PM

Updated: Wed 11 Dec 2024, 8:31 PM

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  • Reuters/AFP

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Photo: Saudi Press Agency

Photo: Saudi Press Agency

Saudi Arabia will host the men's football World Cup in 2034, while the 2030 edition will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with one-off matches in three South American countries, world soccer's governing body Fifa confirmed on Wednesday.

The decision was announced by Fifa President Gianni Infantino following a virtual extraordinary Congress. The 2030 and 2034 World Cups each had only a single bid and both were confirmed by acclamation.


"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.

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The combined proposal from Morocco, Spain and Portugal will see the 2030 World Cup take place across three continents and six nations, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay hosting celebratory games to mark the tournament's centenary.

Uruguay held the first World Cup in 1930, while Argentina and Spain have also staged the tournament. Portugal, Paraguay and Morocco will all be first-time hosts.

Four years later, Saudi Arabia will become the second nation from the Middle East to host the quadrennial tournament, 12 years after neighbours Qatar staged the 2022 edition.

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