September 6 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has backed Spain and Portugal to land the 2030 World Cup hosting rights.
“I am sure that the 2030 World Cup will be played in Spain and Portugal,” said Ceferin during the opening of the Football Talks international congress in Lisbon on Monday.
“This bid is a winning one and we will do everything possible to help two countries that are passionate, live and breathe football and that have a good infrastructure.”
In June, the two European neighbours officialised their intent to bid for the 2030 World Cup. Spain has provisionally selected 14 stadiums in 12 cities as part of the bidding plans. Portugal is expected to provide three stadiums for consideration.
Spain hosted the 1982 World Cup when the global finals were still played in a 24-team format before they expanded to 32 finalists in 1998. In 2026, the United States, Mexico and Canada will host the first 48-team World Cup. The new format will make it all but impossible for the tournament to be staged in a single nation. Portugal has never hosted a World Cup but did organise Euro 2004.
Portugal and Spain bid for the 2018 World Cup, which FIFA awarded to Russia. The Iberian bid will face competition from South America where Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay will appeal to sentiment in a bid to return the World Cup to South America and celebrate the maiden competition staged in 1930 by Uruguay.
With South America lining up against Europe, ties between UEFA and Conmebol will be tested. The two confederations have become closer allies, uniting in opposition against FIFA’s proposal for a biennial World Cup.
With Asia hosting this year’s global finals and the tournament going to North America in 2026, UEFA will be keen on the finals returning to the old continent in 2030.
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