Host nations
The 2026 World Cup was massive in scale, being played in three countries, but things will be taken to a whole new level in 2030, with six countries across three different continents hosting matches. A historic and unprecedented event.
The joint Iberian bid from Spain and Portugal was chosen on December 11, 2024, at the FIFA Extraordinary Congress, to host the World Cup. Initially, there was consideration to invite Ukraine to host some matches as a gesture of support due to the suffering caused by the Russian invasion, but it was ultimately decided that Morocco would join as an official co-host. This secured the support of both UEFA and CAF.
Additionally, to commemorate the centenary of the first World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930, FIFA wanted to pay tribute to the country by returning there for one of the opening matches. To honour all of South America, two more matches will also be played in Argentina, who were the runners-up in that first edition, and in Paraguay, home to the headquarters of the South American Football Confederation.
These three countries, along with Chile, supported by CONMEBOL, had intended to submit a joint bid, but ultimately decided not to do so.
Key dates
The tournament will be held from June 8 to July 21. It will be the longest World Cup in history in terms of both duration and distance travelled.
The opening match will take place on June 8 at the legendary Centenario Stadium in Montevideo (Uruguay). The next two matches will be held at El Monumental in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and in Asuncion (Paraguay). After that, the competition will move to Europe and Africa for the remainder of the competition.
The final will be held on July 21 in either Spain or Morocco, with the time and venue yet to be finalised.
Venues
Pending final reports and decisions, Spain will host matches in 11 stadiums across nine cities: Madrid (Bernabeu and Metropolitano), Barcelona (Camp Nou and RCDE Stadium), Seville (La Cartuja), Bilbao (San Mames), San Sebastian (Anoeta), Zaragoza (Nueva Romareda), Las Palmas (Estadio de Gran Canaria). Pending official confirmation, matches may also be played in Valencia (Nuevo Mestalla) and Vigo (Balaidos).
In Morocco, matches will be played in six cities, each with its own stadium: Casablanca (Grand Stade Hassan II), Tangier (Ibn Batouta Stadium), Rabat (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium), Fez (Fez Stadium), Agadir (Adrar Stadium), and Marrakech (Grand Stade de Marrakech).
And in Portugal, there will be matches in two cities: Lisbon (José Alvalade and Da Luz) and Porto (Do Dragao).
The final was initially planned to be held at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. However, Morocco is aiming to convince FIFA to have it at the Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca, a stadium currently under construction that is set to become the biggest in the world.
Format
The tournament is currently slated to consist of 48 teams and 104 matches, being identical to the expanded format used for the first time in 2026.
There would be 12 groups of four, with the top two of each progressing to a round of 32 along with the eight best third-placed sides.
However, on several recent occasions, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has expressed his intention to consider a possible expansion to 64 teams. If that number is eventually approved, the format would be modified, most likely consisting of 16 groups of four, with the two top two from each advancing to a round of 32.
Qualified Countries
As hosts, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay already have a guaranteed spot in the 2030 World Cup.