A pact to allow the men’s football tournament to begin with a 100th birthday party in Uruguay has led to the startling addition of South America to the unusual 2030 World Cup, which will be played in Europe, Africa, and both continents of Asia. The leaders of the six soccer-playing continents came to an agreement, according to FIFA, to approve only one bid to host the tournament in 2030.
This year, Morocco was added to the Spain-Portugal bid, which now also includes longtime rivals Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. According to FIFA, all six national teams would be given automatic entrance into the 48-team competition.
FIFA was able to expedite the launch of the 2034 World Cup bidding process thanks to the agreement achieved by once-rival football continents, limited to member federations from Asia and Oceania.