Morocco is set to make history by becoming only the second ever African nation to host the FIFA World Cup after being named co-host of the 2030 edition alongside Spain and Portugal.
The joint bid from the three countries was unanimously approved as the sole candidate by FIFA’s Council at a meeting on Wednesday but the opening three matches of the tournament will be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
FIFA said the decision to award Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay the opening games was part of the tournament’s 100th anniversary.
“The FIFA Council unanimously agreed that the sole candidacy will be the combined bid of Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, which will host the event in 2030 and qualify automatically from the existing slot allocation subject to the completion of a successful bidding process conducted by FIFA and a decision by the FIFA Congress in 2024,” FIFA said in a statement.
“Additionally, having taken into account the historical context of the first-ever FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Council further unanimously agreed to host a unique centenary celebration ceremony in the country’s capital, Montevideo… as well as three World Cup matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay respectively.”
Morocco will host a World Cup for the very first time, with matches also played in Spain and Portugal.
King Mohammed VI said the Moroccan people were delighted at the news, which comes after the country’s groundbreaking run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar last year.
“His Majesty King Mohammed VI…has the great pleasure of announcing to the Moroccan people that the FIFA Council has unanimously selected the Morocco-Spain-Portugal bid as the sole candidate to organise the 2030 football World Cup,” a statement from the Royal Office said.
The decision will see Morocco become only the second African country to ever stage a World Cup after South Africa in 2010.
It marks a historic moment for African football and testament to Morocco’s remarkable footballing progress, after they became the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final in Qatar.
Morocco stunned Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to the final four before narrowly losing at the semi-final of the global competition.
The news comes amid huge excitement around Moroccan football, with the country set to host its second African Cup of Nations next year after last staging it in 1988.
Morocco is investing heavily to upgrade its stadium infrastructure in cities like Rabat, Casablanca and Tangier in preparation for hosting major tournaments.
Along with Spain and Portugal’s existing world-class facilities, Morocco’s preparations highlight the joint bid’s readiness to deliver an outstanding 2030 World Cup.
But by awarding Morocco hosting rights, FIFA has given African football an unprecedented platform after South Africa’s trailblazing tournament in 2010.
Bringing the World Cup back to the continent will spur the next generation of African stars following the likes of Moroccan heroes Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou.
