During the Extraordinary FIFA Congress, it was officially confirmed that Argentina will host one of the opening matches of the 2030 World Cup at the Estadio Monumental. The tournament will also take place in Uruguay and Paraguay, with a continuation in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
As the South American World Cup qualifiers in the United States, Mexico and Canada enter their final stages, leader Argentina received important news on Wednesday regarding the 2030 World Cup. What was previously just a possibility is now official: La Albiceleste will host one of the opening matches at the Monumental stadium.
During the Extraordinary FIFA Congress, attended by AFA President Claudio Tapia, Conmebol leader Alejandro Domínguez, and Gianni Infantino, among others, it was officially announced that the tournament will feature six venues on three continents for the first time, with Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay in South America, Portugal and Spain in Europe, and Morocco in Africa. It was also revealed that the opening matches will feature Argentina at the Monumental, Uruguay at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, and Paraguay at the Estadio Osvaldo Dominguez Dibb in Asunción, with the possibility of hosting additional matches.
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A 5 billion business
According to the FIFA report, South America offers an “emotional and exhilarating experience”, with its sports infrastructure and ongoing projects complementing the offering. After these three (or more) matches, the World Cup will continue across the Atlantic, with 17 venues and 20 stadiums in Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. The two European nations are vying to host the opening match, and basically, the final.
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AP Sports Summary: Breaking News at 3:05 p.m. EST
Following the official confirmation that the Monumental will host a match during the 2030 World Cup, River Plate expressed their joy on social media. “Our stadium has been confirmed by @FIFAcom as one of the venues for the biggest sporting event on the planet in 2030. Another milestone for River and for Mâs Monumental, which prepares to play a central role in a new chapter in the history of world football,” the club said.
Tapia, reflecting on the 2030 World Cup, highlighted its historical significance. This World Cup is special, marking the centenary of the first tournament held in Uruguay, where the hosts triumphed against Argentina in the final. Claudio Tapia highlighted the importance of celebrating history while noting that this will be the first World Cup held in Argentina since the return to democracy, since the 1978 edition took place under a military dictatorship. “Today will be a historic day for world and South American football. It will not be just another World Cup; the 2030 tournament pays homage to the history of all World Cups. South America knows how to nurture talent, we have many of the best players in the world, but we also honor history,” Tapia said at the Extraordinary FIFA Congress. “This World Cup is very significant for Argentina; it will be the first democratic World Cup in our country,” he added. “The 2030 World Cup, co-hosted with Uruguay, Paraguay, Spain, Portugal and Morocco, will clearly demonstrate that football unites us. Often we struggle to reach agreements, but today Today we show what football means to us,” he concluded.
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Key reactions to host cities for the 2030 and 2034 FIFA World Cups
In addition to significant announcements regarding the 2030 World Cup, FIFA has confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup. Following their proposal to prioritize Asia and Oceania for the diversity of events hosted, they have reported that the only formal proposal received came from the Asian country. The audits carried out gave Saudi Arabia a score of 4.2 out of 5, exceeding the requirements. They presented an ambitious project including five host cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, Jobar, Abha, and Neom) and a total of 15 stadiums for matches.
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Official: The 2030 World Cup will take place in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay
