Fifa set to confirm 2030 World Cup hosts, Saudi Arabia to stage 2034 tournament

FIFA is poised to officially announce the hosts of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups on 11 december, with a joint bid led by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal expected to secure the 2030 event, while Saudi Arabia will be awarded the 2034 tournament.

The decisions will be ratified during a virtual FIFA Congress vote, but with no competing bids for either tournament, the outcomes are a foregone conclusion.

2030: a centenary celebration

The 2030 World Cup marks 100 years since the inaugural tournament was held in Uruguay.

To honour the milestone, the bid will include a single match in Uruguay, as well as games in Argentina and Paraguay.

This arrangement results in a historic proposal that spans three continents and involves multiple confederations, a first in World Cup history.

Over a year ago, FIFA confirmed the Morocco-Spain-Portugal proposal as the sole contender for 2030 after other potential bids fell apart.

A proposed bid by the UK and Ireland was shelved in favour of hosting Euro 2028, while a South Korean-led bid involving China, Japan, and North Korea never materialised.

South America initially sought to host the centenary entirely, but in 2022, UEFA brokered a compromise that saw Spain and Portugal team up with Ukraine in a show of solidarity.

Ukraine was later replaced by Morocco, with South America agreeing to three matches as part of the centenary celebration.

Morocco's historic opportunity

Morocco, after five unsuccessful bids, will become the second African nation to host a World Cup, following South Africa in 2010.

Alongside Spain and Portugal, the nation has ambitious plans, including constructing a massive stadium near Casablanca with a proposed capacity of 115,000, potentially the largest in the world.

Spain, which hosted the 1982 World Cup, will feature prominently with 11 venues, while Portugal plans to contribute three stadiums, including sites in Lisbon and Porto. The final match, scheduled for 21 july 2030, could take place in Madrid, Barcelona, or the new Moroccan stadium.

2034: Saudi Arabia's controversial bid

For 2034, FIFA's continental rotation principle limited bids to Asia or Oceania.

However, the tight deadline for submissions last year saw potential competitors such as Australia and Indonesia withdraw, leaving Saudi Arabia unchallenged.

Despite its lack of infrastructure—currently only two stadiums meet FIFA's requirements—Saudi Arabia will host the World Cup.

The kingdom is expected to build or expand 12 additional venues and may need to reschedule the tournament to avoid the extreme heat of summer.

However, Ramadan in December 2034 could further complicate the timing.

Saudi Arabia's hosting rights come amidst criticism over its human rights record.

Rights groups have pointed to mass executions, restrictions on women, and limits on free expression under the kingdom's conservative guardianship laws.

The country has faced similar scrutiny over its involvement in Formula One and other high-profile sporting events, with many accusing it of "sportswashing" to distract from its domestic policies.