Saudi Arabia Selected as Host for 2034 FIFA World Cup

FIFA has announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, while the 2030 World Cup, marking the tournament's 100th edition, will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.

Both bids were uncontested and received approval during a virtual FIFA Congress on Wednesday. Additionally, the centenary matches of the 2030 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.

"Introducing the hosts for the next two editions of the @FIFAWorldCup! Morocco, Portugal and Spain will host in 2030, with centenary celebration matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Four years later, Saudi Arabia will host the FIFA World Cup 2034," FIFA wrote on X.

The first of these three matches will take place in South America, at the iconic Estadio Centenario in Uruguay, where it all began. During the FIFA Congress, nations cast their votes by clapping their hands in front of their cameras.

Last year, Saudi Arabia became the sole bidder for the 2034 FIFA World Cup after FIFA opted to combine the selection process for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments into a single vote.

With the official announcement confirming Saudi Arabia as the host, the country will stage the tournament for the first time, showcasing its increasing prominence in global sports.

Saudi Arabia's bid achieved the highest score from FIFA's bid evaluation team, earning 4.2 out of 5. The 2034 World Cup will be the first time the expanded 48-team tournament is hosted by a single nation.

The 2026 World Cup will mark the debut of the expanded 48-team tournament, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA President Gianni Infantino extended his congratulations to the host nations during the conclusion of the FIFA Congress.