World Cup 2030: when and where the next World Cup is played

The next men’s FIFA World Cup is in 2030. Morocco, Portugal and Spain are the joint hosts, and Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay each stage one match to mark the tournament’s centenary. FIFA’s Council named the Morocco, Portugal and Spain bid as the sole candidate on Wednesday 4 October 2023, and an Extraordinary FIFA Congress confirmed the hosts on Wednesday 11 December 2024, BBC Sport and the Guardian reported. The next FIFA Women’s World Cup comes first: it is in Brazil in 2027, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in May 2025.

Host countries and the centenary matches

Country	Role at the 2030 World Cup
Morocco	Joint host
Portugal	Joint host
Spain	Joint host
Uruguay	Stages one centenary match and the centenary celebration ceremony
Argentina	Stages one centenary match
Paraguay	Stages one centenary match

FIFA’s Council said the three South American matches and a celebration ceremony in Montevideo mark the centenary of the first World Cup, played in Uruguay in 1930. The first of the three matches is at Montevideo’s Estádio Centenário, “the stadium where it all began” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. FIFA describes the 2030 tournament as uniting three continents, Africa, Europe and South America, and six countries.

How the hosts were chosen

FIFA’s Council took its decision “following extensive consultation with all confederations” on Wednesday 4 October 2023, and said the appointment would be completed by a decision of the FIFA Congress in 2024. That Congress, held by video link, confirmed the 2030 hosts and the three centenary matches on Wednesday 11 December 2024, BBC Sport and the Guardian reported. The same Congress confirmed Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 World Cup.

When is the 2030 World Cup?

In 2030. FIFA’s Council decision of October 2023, cited on this page, gives the year but no match dates.

Do the hosts qualify automatically?

FIFA’s Council said in October 2023 that Morocco, Portugal and Spain would host the 2030 World Cup “and qualify automatically from the existing slot allocation” subject to a successful bidding process and the FIFA Congress decision in 2024. The Congress confirmed them as hosts on 11 December 2024.

After 2030: the 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia hosts the 2034 World Cup, which FIFA describes as the first with 48 teams to be held in a single nation. FIFA’s Council opened the 2034 bidding to member associations of the AFC and the OFC in October 2023, in line with what it called the principle of confederation rotation, and the Extraordinary FIFA Congress confirmed Saudi Arabia on Wednesday 11 December 2024, BBC Sport and the Guardian reported.

The last World Cup: 2026

Spain won the 2026 World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final. The 2026 hosts were the United States, Canada and Mexico. The result and the tournament in full are on MercatoWire’s who won the 2026 World Cup page and the World Cup host nations history record, and every match is in the World Cup 2026 archive. The most World Cup titles record shows where Spain’s win leaves the all-time list, and the next European Championship is on MercatoWire’s Euro 2028 page.

Frequently asked questions

When is the next World Cup?

The next men’s FIFA World Cup is in 2030, in Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with three centenary matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. The next FIFA Women’s World Cup comes earlier, in Brazil in 2027.

Where is the 2030 World Cup?

Morocco, Portugal and Spain are the joint hosts. Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay each stage one centenary match, and Montevideo in Uruguay hosts the centenary celebration ceremony.

Why are 2030 World Cup matches played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay?

To mark 100 years of the World Cup. The first tournament was played in Uruguay in 1930, and FIFA’s Council gave one match each to Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, starting at Montevideo’s Estádio Centenário.

Do the hosts qualify automatically for the 2030 World Cup?

Yes, for Morocco, Portugal and Spain. FIFA’s Council said in October 2023 that the three joint hosts would qualify automatically from the existing slot allocation, subject to the FIFA Congress decision that confirmed them in December 2024.

Who hosts the 2034 World Cup?

Saudi Arabia, confirmed by an Extraordinary FIFA Congress on Wednesday 11 December 2024.

When is the next Women’s World Cup?

In 2027, in Brazil, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in May 2025.

Who won the last World Cup?

Spain won the 2026 World Cup, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final. The hosts were the United States, Canada and Mexico.