The FIFA World Cup is the most prestigious tournament in the world. It is the pinnacle of the dream every professional footballer shares. The 2030 FIFA World Cup is going to be different from what we have seen before. The 100th anniversary of the tournament will be celebrated in a unique way.
FIFA president Giovanni Infantino believes that football is more than a sport; it unites people. That is what the Italian had in mind before announcing to the fans where the 2030 FIFA World Cup will be held.
2030 FIFA World Cup hosts announced
Fans were eagerly waiting to know where the 2030 FIFA World Cup would be held. The 100th edition of the tournament will take place in six different countries. Three countries, namely Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, will co-host the tournament, while the three opening matches will take place in Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina.
“In 2030, we will have a unique global footprint: three continents—Africa, Europe, and South America. Six countries—Argentina, Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, and Uruguay—are welcoming and uniting the world while celebrating the beautiful game together. The centenary and the FIFA World Cup,” said FIFA president Giovanni Infantino.
The first match will take place at Estádio Centenário in Montevideo, Uruguay, the place where the first-ever FIFA World Cup final was held. Countries like Morocco and Portugal are creating history. Morocco will now become the first North African country to hold official games. Portugal will also be hosting the tournament for the first time ever, while Spain already had the honor in 1982.
48-team World Cup format
Winning the World Cup is not a cakewalk, and things are going to get harder in the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will feature 48 teams, which is 16 more than the 2022 edition, and 104 matches, 40 more than the last edition. The old 32-team, 8-group format is now modified to feature 48 teams in 12 groups.
The top two teams from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams will qualify for the round of 32. Players will have to play a total of eight matches (one more than last year) to lift the World Cup trophy. A 16-group, 3-team approach was also considered, but the idea was scrapped due to a number of factors, including team and fan experience, player welfare, and sporting integrity.
The 2030 FIFA World Cup will surely be harder and more unique, which will make it more exciting. Who will you be rooting for in the 2030 World Cup? Tell us your opinions down in the comments.
