2030 FIFA World Cup will enter a higher level. After the event was played four years earlier on the territory of three different countries, the world football authorities have decided to organize the competition on three separate continents. Which venues will be on the list of host cities?

It was long debated whether the South American candidacy co-created by Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay would beat the European-African application of Spain, Portugal and Morocco. However, FIFA decided not to choose between the two options, but instead made a revolution by combining them and selecting a total of 6 hosts for the event. The main part of the event will take place in the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa, but the first three games of the tournament will take place in Uruguay (the opening match), as well as Argentina and Paraguay. All six nations hosting the World Cup will also have their participation assured.

FIFA's decision has prompted the hosts of the 2030 World Cup to make their first choices of stadiums to host the event's duels. The vast majority of them already exist. Some will have to undergo major renovations. Only two of the 27 pre-submitted arenas would be built from scratch. The number of stadiums on the list is impressive, looking at the fact that during the last championship in Qatar the matches were played at "only" eight venues. However, it should be remembered that the World Cup from 2026 onward will feature 48, rather than the current 32 teams. This means that the event will be a week longer, with 12 to 24 more matches played than at the 2022 tournament. It can therefore be assumed that the final list will see 16-20 arenas.

© Gómez Platero Arquitectura & Urbanismo, Saceem | Future Estadio Centenario

No one should be surprised that the 2030 World Cup will kick off at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo. It is this legendary Uruguayan venue that will then celebrate the 100th anniversary of hosting the first football World Cup in history. The Argentines have selected the currently renovated Mâs Monumental, while the Paraguayans will build Estadio CONMEBOL in the capital Asunción from scratch. These stadiums, given their honorable role, may be rather certain to remain on the final list.

Six planned locations have been confirmed by Morocco. This information was revealed quite recently in the national media by Fouzi Lekjaa – President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). The country, which finished a sensational fourth place at the last World Cup in Qatar, intends to upgrade Stade Moulay Abdella, Ibn Batouta Stadium, Stade de Marrakech, Adrar Stadium, as well as Complexe Sportif de Fès. In addition, Grand Stade de Casablanca is also to be built from scratch. Official sources say it is expected to have 93,000 seats, but some reports indicate that its capacity could be as much as 20,000 more.

© Cruz y Ortiz Arquitectos | Future Grand Stade de Casablanca

Most matches – including the final phase of the championship – are to be played on the Iberian Peninsula. While Portugal is not planning a revolution by deciding to stage the three largest and most modern venues in its bid: Estádio do Dragão, Estádio José Alvalade and Estádio da Luz, the choice is much more difficult in Spain. In addition to such certainties as Cívitas Metropolitano, Santiago Bernabeu, Spotify Camp Nou and San Mames, La Cartuja has yet to be confirmed. Also on the preliminary list are El Molinón, La Rosaleda, La Romareda, Reale Arena, Stage Front Stadium, Estadio de Gran Canaria, Estadio Nueva Condomina and Nuevo Mestalla. It is speculated that of this group, at most 3-4 stadiums will host this tournament. One of the Galician venues – Abanca-Riazor or Abanca Balaídos – will also be on the list.