When and where is the next World Cup?
The expanded 2026 World Cup reached its conclusion in New Jersey on Sunday night. Now preparations continue for the next one in four years’ time.
The 2026 World Cup - the first to feature 48 participating nations, reached its conclusion in New Jersey on Sunday night with Spain crowned champions for the second time in history.
Spain’s historic World Cup win sets the stage for a globe‑spanning 2030 tournament four years from now.
As the confetti settles, the soccer world is already shifting its attention to the next global showdown — one that promises to be unlike anything we’ve seen before.
President Donald J. Trump presents the World Cup Trophy to Spain, the 2026 @FIFAWorldCup Champions! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/SHsoBhYm1b
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 19, 2026
The next World Cup: When it kicks off
The 24th edition of the World Cup is slated for summer 2030, with the working schedule running from June 8 to July 21. As always, the four‑year cycle holds firm, giving fans plenty of time to build anticipation — and enjoy the continental tournaments that will fill the gap along the way.
📷
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) October 4, 2023
FIFA Council takes key decisions on FIFA World Cup™ editions in 2030 and 2034: Morocco, Portugal and Spain joint bid is the sole candidate to host FIFA World Cup 2030™
➡️https://t.co/cKJec1tIE4 pic.twitter.com/mwLRerCIlg
Where the 2030 World Cup will be played
If the 2026 World Cup broke new ground by spanning three countries — the United States, Mexico, and Canada — the 2030 tournament is about to take things to another level entirely.
For the first time ever, a World Cup will be hosted across three continents and six nations:
- Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will serve as the main hosts, staging nearly all matches.
- The tournament is still awaiting final confirmation on whether it will feature 48 or 64 teams, a decision that will shape the full match calendar.
But there’s a historic twist.
To honor the 100th anniversary of the very first World Cup — held in Uruguay in 1930 — Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay will each host one opening match. Uruguay’s role carries special weight: not only did the country host the inaugural tournament, it also won it.
This centennial tribute ensures the 2030 World Cup will be both a modern spectacle and a nod to soccer’s origins.
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