The Federation International of Football Association (FIFA) has officially announced that Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA World Cup in 2034. The announcement came during an Extraordinary FIFA Congress held on Wednesday, where Morocco, Spain, and Portugal were also confirmed as co-hosts for the 2030 edition of the tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino unveiled the decisions, noting that both World Cups were awarded by acclamation due to having single bids. Speaking about the unique format of the 2030 World Cup, Infantino stated, “We are bringing football to more countries, and the expanded number of teams has not diluted the quality. It has actually enhanced the opportunity.”
The 2030 World Cup will be an unprecedented event, spanning three continents and six nations. Matches will primarily be held in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, while Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will host celebratory games to commemorate the tournament’s centenary. Uruguay, as the host of the inaugural World Cup in 1930, shares a historic connection to this milestone. Meanwhile, Argentina and Spain have previously hosted the event, while Portugal, Paraguay, and Morocco will debut as World Cup hosts.
The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia marks another historic milestone, as it will be the second time a Middle Eastern nation has hosted the prestigious tournament, following Qatar’s successful staging in 2022. For the first time, the event will feature 48 teams competing in a single host nation. Saudi Arabia plans to hold matches across 15 state-of-the-art stadiums in five cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and Neom.
A highlight of the Saudi Arabian World Cup will be the King Salman Stadium in Riyadh, set to host both the opening and final matches. The stadium, designed to accommodate 92,000 spectators, is currently under construction and promises to be a landmark venue.
These decisions reflect FIFA’s commitment to expanding football’s global reach and celebrating its rich history, offering fans worldwide an exciting new chapter in the sport.