Saudi Arabia to Host 2034 World Cup

FIFA has confirmed that the 2030 men's soccer World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with celebratory matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to commemorate the tournament's centenary. The selection of Morocco marks a significant milestone, as it will be the first time the nation hosts the World Cup after decades of unsuccessful bids. FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the expansion of football to new regions, emphasizing that the quality of the tournament will be maintained. Morocco plans extensive infrastructure upgrades across six cities, including a new 115,000-seat stadium, aimed at boosting tourism and economic growth. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has been awarded the 2034 World Cup, becoming the second Middle Eastern nation to stage the event after Qatar in 2022. The announcement has drawn criticism from some, including the Norwegian Football Federation, which labeled FIFA's bidding process as flawed.