FIFA’s record-breaking decision on the 2030 World Cup

FIFA has officially unveiled the evaluation report for the 2030 World Cup bid, the historic tournament set to take place across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. While this bid is the only contender for the event, it must still navigate FIFA’s standard candidacy process before being finalized. The hosting rights will be officially confirmed during FIFA’s Extraordinary Congress on December 11.

The bid’s evaluation score has already made headlines, earning a groundbreaking 4.2 out of 5—the highest ever recorded for a World Cup bid. This milestone highlights the robust proposal put forward by the three nations. However, two critical areas were flagged as needing improvement: stadium readiness and legal/contractual frameworks.

Where will the World Cup 2030 final be played?

One of the most talked-about aspects of the 2030 World Cup bid is the selection of stadiums for the opening match and the final. FIFA’s evaluation confirms that three iconic venues are under consideration:

Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid, Spain): Widely regarded as the favorite due to its state-of-the-art renovations and central role in global football.

Stade Mohammed V (Casablanca, Morocco): The largest stadium among the contenders, offering a unique opportunity to showcase Morocco on the world stage.

Camp Nou (Barcelona, Spain): Despite its ongoing reconstruction, it remains a strong candidate, promising unparalleled capacity and legacy.

FIFA will make the final decision regarding the opening and closing matches closer to the tournament.

Centennial celebration: Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay score high

The 2030 World Cup also marks the tournament’s centennial, a nod to its inaugural edition held in Uruguay in 1930. As part of this celebration, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay are set to host select commemorative matches. Their joint bid received a commendable 3.6 out of 5 in FIFA’s evaluation, with each country meeting the minimum requirements to host centenary games.

FIFA’s report confirms that both bids—the main tournament hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, and the centenary matches in South America—have exceeded the minimum organizational benchmarks required. The FIFA Council is now tasked with advancing these bids to the Congress, where member associations will cast their votes to finalize the hosting arrangements.

A milestone moment for FIFA and football

This dual-continent approach to the 2030 World Cup reflects FIFA’s ambition to celebrate the global unity of football. With Spain, Portugal, and Morocco delivering a record-breaking proposal and South America’s historic centennial tribute, the stage is set for a tournament like no other.

Stay tuned for FIFA’s official announcement on December 11, where the final details will be revealed, and football fans worldwide can begin the countdown to a truly unforgettable event.

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