As the curtain falls on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, football enthusiasts are already setting their sights on the horizon.
The upcoming tournament, although four years away, is beginning to take shape with fascinating details emerging that promise a unique installment in the storied history of the competition.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Who is hosting the 2030 World Cup?
This memorable edition will stretch across three continents, uniting South America, Europe, and Africa under the banner of the world’s most beloved sport.
Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will each host an opening match, with Uruguay taking on the honor of hosting the centenary celebration, a nod to the 100th anniversary of the first-ever FIFA World Cup.
The tournament will then move to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco for the remainder of the competition.
The decision reflects the tournament’s history.
Uruguay hosted and won the first World Cup in 1930, while Argentina was awarded a centenary match after reaching that inaugural final against Uruguay.
Paraguay was also awarded a centenary match because it hosts CONMEBOL, South America’s football governing body.
Has anyone qualified for the 2030 World Cup?
As co-hosts, Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco have automatically qualified.
No other nations have secured a place, with the remaining spots expected to be decided through regional qualifying matches played between 2027 and 2029.
How many countries will play?
A major detail yet to be confirmed is how many teams will compete.
The 2026 World Cup expanded from 32 to 48 teams, with 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, advanced to the Round of 32.
The new format also replaced goal difference with head-to-head record as the first tiebreaker during the group stage.
CONMEBOL has proposed expanding the tournament even further to 64 teams.
If adopted, the tournament would likely feature 16 groups of four, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout stage, eliminating the need for the best third-placed qualification system.
However, such an expansion would present significant logistical challenges, requiring additional venues and a larger match schedule.
What are the dates?
FIFA is yet to release the full match schedule, but has confirmed special arrangements to accommodate the teams beginning the tournament in South America.
The governing body says the six teams playing their opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will receive 11 to 12 days before their second group game, while their opponents will have five to six days for travel and recovery before those fixtures.
- 8 and 9 June 2030: Centenary celebration ceremony and first matches of Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, all at home.
- 13 and 14 June 2030: Opening ceremony and opening matches of the FIFA World Cup 2030.
- 15 and 16 June 2030: First matches of the other teams of the groups of Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
- 21 and 22 June 2030: Second matches of all teams of the groups of Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
- 21 July 2030: Final of the FIFA World Cup 2030
FIFA is yet to confirm which country will host the final.
You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.