Date Published: 05/10/2023

Spain wins bid to host 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco

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Three South American countries will host the opening matches before the action moves to Spain

Spain wins bid to host 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco

In a highly unusual move, FIFA has handed the 2030 World Cup torch to six different countries across three continents: Spain, Portugal and Morocco won the race to host the 48-team tournament but Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay haven’t missed out, securing the opening three matches.

This will be the first time the World Cup has ever been played in more than one continent and each of the host countries will automatically qualify. The tournament hasn’t been played in Spain in 48 years.

Celebrating the unusual decision to split up the competition, which has been met with dismay by both the fans and climate groups, president of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), Alejandro Domínguez, took to Twitter: “We believed in Big. The 2030 Centenary World Cup begins where it all began. Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host the inaugural matches of the #Centennial World Cup.”

The rest of the group stage and the 16 quarterfinals, semifinals and final will be played in Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Specifically, Spain will have ten venues and will host the grand final of the 2030 World Cup. Portugal will have three headquarters and Morocco will have 4 or 5.

Also of interest: Murcia throws its hat into the ring as a venue for the 2030 World Cup

FIFA reported that “after extensive consultations with all confederations and given the importance of commemorating the centenary of the FIFA World Cup,” the Council decided on Wednesday October 4 that the 2030 edition should unite “three continents and six countries, inviting the entire world to join in the celebration of this beautiful game, the Centennial and the FIFA World Cup itself.

“In a divided world, FIFA and football are uniting,” said FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, describing the Morocco, Portugal and Spain bid as “a great message of peace, tolerance and inclusion”.

In fact, it is hoped that the Spanish involvement in hosting this Men’s World Cup may go some way to making amends for the Spanish Football Federation’s reputation after the controversial and non-consensual kiss by its President Luis Rubiales to Female World Cup winner Jenny Hermoso.

While Spain gears up for a tremendous celebration, the “unique global footprint” Infantino talks about has been heavily criticised by environmentalists, who have accused FIFA of caring more about the growth of the game than the climate.

Carbon Market Watch claims that “FIFA’s decision to host the 2030 World Cup across six countries could be a recipe for disaster,” since it could mean more international flights, more emissions and therefore more climate damages.

Meanwhile, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has already announced a pre-selection made up of 15 stadiums which can opt to be part of the World Cup. Ultimately, 11 will be chosen.

Here are the candidates:

Balaídos (Vigo)
Riazor (A Coruña)
El Molinón (Gijón)
San Mamés (Bilbao)
Anoeta (San Sebastián)
La Romareda (Zaragoza)
Camp Nou (Barcelona)
RCDE Stadium (Cornellà-El Prat)
Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)
Metropolitano (Madrid)
Nuevo Mestalla (Valencia)
Nueva Condomina (Murcia)
La Cartuja (Seville)
La Rosaleda (Málaga)
Gran Canaria Stadium (Las Palmas).

Image: Archive

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