The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) presented frequently asked questions regarding the prevailing confusion regarding its granting of Morocco, Spain and Portugal the right to host the 2030 World Cup, with South America hosting three matches.
Last Wednesday, the FIFA Council unanimously approved that the joint bid between Morocco, Portugal and Spain would be the only bid to host the 2030 edition , provided that the teams of these three countries would qualify automatically, through the seats allocated to the two continental federations concerned, provided that this bid was successful in the evaluation and confirmation process. FIFA will make this decision during its meeting scheduled for the year 2024.
Taking into account the historical context of the first edition of the World Cup, which was held in Uruguay in 1930, the FIFA Council unanimously agreed to hold an event celebrating the centenary of the tournament in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, in addition to holding three group stage matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. The condition for this file to pass the evaluation process.
The teams of the three South American countries that will host the events celebrating the centenary of the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2030 edition.
- Who will host the 2030 World Cup?
The joint bid between Morocco, Portugal and Spain is the only bid to host the 2030 World Cup. Accordingly, Morocco, Portugal and Spain will be the host countries for the tournament, where 101 matches will be held on their soil. This proposal was prepared in consultation with and with the support of the African Union, the South American Confederation and the European Union. .
- Why are Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay hosting three matches?
The year 2030 coincides with the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup in the history of the World Cup, and this celebration will be embodied by holding three matches in three different stadiums in South America.
- How and why were these countries chosen?
It was agreed to hold a match to commemorate the centenary in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, in appreciation of this country's role in hosting the 1930 edition, in which the Uruguay national team was crowned champion. Another match will also be held in Argentina in appreciation of its national team’s second place in the inaugural edition in 1930, and a third match will be held in Paraguay in appreciation of the role played by this country on the continental level, as it hosts the headquarters of the South American Confederation, the first and only continental confederation that had Existing when the 1930 version was established.
- What is the planned program for the 2030 World Cup?
The schedule to be adopted will allow a period of approximately 11 to 12 days for the six teams that will play in South America, so that they can travel and rest before playing the second match, while allowing approximately five to six days for travel and rest for the rest of the six competitors in the group. And for all other participating teams.
The date of the three matches that will be held in South America will be brought forward a few days before the start of the official opening matches of the World Cup, which will be held in Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
This timeline shows how the dates of relevant events are distributed:
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June 2030: Centenary celebration ceremony and the first match for the Uruguay national team in Montevideo, the Argentine national team at home, and the Paraguay national team at home.
Thursday 13 and Friday 14 June 2030: Opening ceremony and opening match(s) of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June 2030: First matches for the other teams belonging to the groups of Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
Friday 21 and Saturday 22 June 2030: Second matches for all teams belonging to the Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay groups.
Sunday, July 21, 2030: 2030 World Cup Final.
- When will the decision to officially grant hosting the 2030 World Cup to the candidate countries be confirmed?
The FIFA Congress, which consists of all 211 member associations, is expected to make its final and official decision in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Formula One: Verstappen is world champion for the third time in a row
Dutch Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was crowned Formula One world champion for the third time in a row, during the Sprint race on Saturday, within the Qatar Grand Prix competitions at the Losail International Circuit.
The withdrawal of Mexican Sergio Pires, who collided with Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine), contributed to his Dutch colleague being crowned leader of the standings, who needed only 3 points to retain his title in the first category.
Verstappen was in third place when Pires, second in the standings and the only driver who could still compete with him, was involved in the accident, which opened the doors to victory for him, as he did not need to wait for the end of the sprint race (19 laps), which he finished second behind Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren), in order to, He retains his title as he could have done so even if he had withdrawn before the end.
Verstappen raised his score in first place in the drivers' standings to 407 points, putting him 184 points ahead of his colleague Péris, while British Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion who finished fifth in the race, occupies third place with 194 points.
Verstappen said, ecstatic about his new achievement, "Of course it's a great feeling. It's been a great year and a lot of great races, and I feel very proud of the team's work."
He continued, "It was very enjoyable to be part of this group of people and to be crowned world champion three times is incredible."