World Cup 2030: six countries, three continents and a centenary
The 2030 World Cup will be unlike any before it. It celebrates 100 years since the first World Cup, held in Uruguay in 1930, and will take place in six countries on three continents.
Who is hosting?
The main hosts are Morocco, Portugal and Spain, where the vast majority of matches will be played. To celebrate the centenary, the first three matches will take place in South America:
- Uruguay (Montevideo): the country that hosted and won the first World Cup in 1930.
- Argentina (Buenos Aires): the beaten finalists in 1930.
- Paraguay (Asunción): home of CONMEBOL, the South American confederation.
All six countries qualify automatically. After the opening matches, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will travel to Europe and North Africa to continue the tournament.
The 48-team format
The 2030 World Cup uses the same expanded format that debuted in 2026:
| Stage | How it works |
|---|---|
| Group stage | 12 groups of 4 teams |
| Who goes through | The top 2 in each group + the 8 best third-placed teams |
| Knockout rounds | Start with the round of 32 |
| Total | 104 matches |
When will it be played?
The tournament is planned for June and July 2030, with the centenary ceremony and the South American matches in early June. FIFA has not yet published the full schedule.
Why does it matter for Africa?
It will be only the second World Cup on African soil, after South Africa in 2010, and the first in North Africa. For Morocco, which reached the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup, it is the fulfilment of a long-held dream after several unsuccessful bids.
And for Portuguese-speaking fans?
With Portugal as a co-host, the Portuguese-speaking world will be at the heart of football's biggest event. For fans in Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde and Brazil, it will feel especially close to home.
What comes after 2030?
The 2034 World Cup has already been awarded to Saudi Arabia.