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As special as the 2026 World Cup is bound to be, with games happening in Canada, the United States and Mexico, the 2030 World Cup might have it beat already.
Not only will 2030 be the 100th anniversary of the international tournament, but the global event is also set to be just that: global.
While 2026 marks the first time the FIFA World Cup has been hosted by three countries, 2030 will have six countries host games, spanning three continents.
Here's everything we know about the centenary tournament.
Almost all games in the 2030 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. The three countries put together a joint bid for the honor which was developed in consultation with, and supported by, the Confederations of CAF, CONMEBOL, and UEFA.
That said, given that the first FIFA World Cup in 1930 took place in Uruguay, three South American countries (Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay) will host three games in honor of the milestone.
While it makes sense to honor the 100th anniversary of the inaugural tournament by allowing the original host, Uruguay, to stage a game, the inclusions of both Argentina and Paraguay may seem puzzling.
Argentina received the honor because it faced Uruguay in the first World Cup final, which was won by the host country.
Similarly, Paraguay will host a game to honor its role as the home of CONMEBOL, the only confederation for the sport in existence during the 1930 World Cup.
By virtue of hosting at least one game in the tournament, all six countries — Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain — are all set to qualify for the 2030 World Cup. No other teams have qualified yet.
Though the World Cup only expanded to 48 teams for the first time in 2026, there is a chance it could be expanding yet again in 2030.
CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez has proposed an expansion to 64 teams for the next World Cup.
“I dream of a World Cup with 64 teams,” Dominguez said in 2025. “I believe it’s a great opportunity to do something that unites the world, to bring football to more people, and to have a completely different kind of celebration.”
Though there has been plenty of pushback to the idea, FIFA has yet to officially decide the number of teams that will compete in four years.
The official schedule has not yet been announced, but FIFA claims it will be giving "approximately 11 to 12 days for travel and rest before the second game of the six teams playing in South America, with approximately five to six days for travel and rest for the remaining six group opponents."
Per FIFA, the following dates summarize the intended plan for the 2030 tournament.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2030 FIFA World Cup: What to know about the next tournament
Continue reading...
Not only will 2030 be the 100th anniversary of the international tournament, but the global event is also set to be just that: global.
While 2026 marks the first time the FIFA World Cup has been hosted by three countries, 2030 will have six countries host games, spanning three continents.
Here's everything we know about the centenary tournament.
Who is hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup?
Almost all games in the 2030 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. The three countries put together a joint bid for the honor which was developed in consultation with, and supported by, the Confederations of CAF, CONMEBOL, and UEFA.
That said, given that the first FIFA World Cup in 1930 took place in Uruguay, three South American countries (Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay) will host three games in honor of the milestone.
Why are Argentina and Paraguay hosting games?
While it makes sense to honor the 100th anniversary of the inaugural tournament by allowing the original host, Uruguay, to stage a game, the inclusions of both Argentina and Paraguay may seem puzzling.
Argentina received the honor because it faced Uruguay in the first World Cup final, which was won by the host country.
Similarly, Paraguay will host a game to honor its role as the home of CONMEBOL, the only confederation for the sport in existence during the 1930 World Cup.
Has anyone qualified for the 2030 World Cup?
By virtue of hosting at least one game in the tournament, all six countries — Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Morocco, Portugal, and Spain — are all set to qualify for the 2030 World Cup. No other teams have qualified yet.
How many teams will be at the 2030 World Cup?
Though the World Cup only expanded to 48 teams for the first time in 2026, there is a chance it could be expanding yet again in 2030.
CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez has proposed an expansion to 64 teams for the next World Cup.
“I dream of a World Cup with 64 teams,” Dominguez said in 2025. “I believe it’s a great opportunity to do something that unites the world, to bring football to more people, and to have a completely different kind of celebration.”
Though there has been plenty of pushback to the idea, FIFA has yet to officially decide the number of teams that will compete in four years.
2030 FIFA World Cup schedule
The official schedule has not yet been announced, but FIFA claims it will be giving "approximately 11 to 12 days for travel and rest before the second game of the six teams playing in South America, with approximately five to six days for travel and rest for the remaining six group opponents."
Per FIFA, the following dates summarize the intended plan for the 2030 tournament.
- June 8-9, 2030: Centenary celebration ceremony
- June 13-14, 2030: Opening ceremony, first matches
- June 15-16, 2030: Group play matches
- June 21-22, 2030: Group play matches continue
- July 21, 2030: Final
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2030 FIFA World Cup: What to know about the next tournament
Continue reading...
