Morocco, Spain and Portugal have been named hosts of the 2030 World Cup, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will host the opening games to mark the tournament's 100th anniversary, FIFA said on Wednesday.
The tournament marks the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, which was first held in Uruguay in 1930.
After the opening games in South America, the competition would move to Spain, Portugal and Morocco, where the remaining games would be played.
It is the first time that the World Cup will be held on three continents and six countries.
“The FIFA Council unanimously agreed that the only bid will be the joint bid from Morocco, Portugal and Spain, which will host the event in 2030 and will qualify automatically based on the existing allocation of places,” said a press release from the Fifa.
"Furthermore, taking into account the historical context of the first FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Council unanimously agreed to organize a unique centenary celebration in the country's capital Montevideo... as well as three World Cup matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
The 2022 World Cup took place in Qatar.Argentina is the defending champion.
“In a divided world, FIFA and football come together,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“The FIFA Council...They unanimously agreed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the FIFA World Cup, the first edition of which was held in Uruguay in 1930, in the most appropriate way.
"As a result, a celebration will take place in South America and three South American countries - Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay - will each host a match in the 2030 FIFA World Cup."
Infantino said the first of those three games would be played at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, where the first World Cup was held in 1930.
Robert Harrison, president of the Paraguayan Football Association, said Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay would automatically qualify for the World Cup, but did not explain what that would mean for the South American qualifiers.
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World Cup returns to Spain
While Portugal and Morocco have never hosted the World Cup, Spain last hosted the tournament in 1982.
Pedro Rocha, president of the management committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, said they were pleased to bring him back to the country that won the 2010 World Cup.
“I am sure that together with Morocco and Portugal we will organize the best World Cup in history,” he said.
Fernando Gomes, President of the Portuguese Football Association, said: “Each of our countries brings with them a vibrant football tradition, unrivaled organizational experience and a capacity for innovation that will undoubtedly shape the future of the competition.”
King Mohammed VI of Morocco celebrated FIFA's decision. The African nation shocked the world in Qatar last year by reaching the semi-finals.
“His Majesty King Mohammed VI... has the great pleasure to inform the Moroccan people that the FIFA Council has unanimously selected the Morocco-Spain-Portugal bid as the sole candidate to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup,” Royal Office This is what Morocco said in a statement.
FIFA also said that the 2034 World Cup will be held in the Asia or Oceania region and that member associations from these territories will be invited to bid to host the tournament.
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