The next FIFA World Cup is set to make history in more ways than one, with the 2030 tournament scheduled to be played across three continents and six countries as FIFA also considers expanding the competition to 64 teams.
The landmark tournament will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the FIFA World Cup and will be primarily hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain, while three centenary opening matches will be held in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
If approved, the proposed expansion would add 16 more teams to the tournament, making the 2030 edition the largest World Cup in history.
Centennial Tournament Will Span Six Nations
Following Sunday’s conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to capture its second World Cup title, attention has already turned to the next tournament.
The 2030 World Cup will be unlike any previous edition.
Morocco, Portugal and Spain will serve as the primary hosts, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will each stage one opening match to commemorate the centennial of the inaugural FIFA World Cup, which was held in Uruguay in 1930.
The format will mark the first time World Cup matches are played across the continents of Europe, Africa and South America during the same tournament.
FIFA Considering 64-Team Tournament
The 2026 World Cup expanded from 32 to 48 national teams, featuring 104 matches over 39 days across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Now FIFA is evaluating an even larger expansion.
Speaking to Swiss media outlet Blue News, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that officials will examine a proposal to increase the field to 64 teams for the 2030 tournament.
“That’s definitely an issue that will be examined and discussed in the relevant committees after this World Cup,” Infantino said.
“When organizing a World Cup, it’s important to organize it for the whole world—not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world. Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup.”
If approved, the expansion would add another 16 national teams beyond the 48-country format introduced in 2026.
FIFA Highlights Global Unity
During the Extraordinary FIFA Congress that confirmed the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments, Infantino said the selection represented a message of international cooperation.
“In today’s divided world, where it seems that nobody can agree anymore on anything, to be able to agree on something like that is definitely an incredible message of unity and positivity,” he said.
Infantino described the World Cup as a catalyst for bringing nations together through football.
“The FIFA World Cup is unique, and it is a unique catalyst as well for positive social change and unity,” he said. “These tournaments are tournaments to unite, not to divide.”
Saudi Arabia To Host 2034 World Cup
FIFA also confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, returning the tournament to the Middle East for the second time in 12 years.
The region previously hosted the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, when Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout to claim its third World Championship.
While the structure of the 2030 tournament has been finalized, FIFA has not yet made a decision on whether to expand the competition to 64 teams. The proposal is expected to be reviewed by FIFA’s governing committees in the coming years before the centennial tournament begins.
Provided by Dallas Express
