August 1 – Uruguay has solidified plans to renovate its iconic Centenario Stadium as part of its preparations for the 2030 World Cup, following the official submission of the joint hosting bid book on Monday.
The Uruguayan government has committed to these development plans to bolster its bid to host key games of the 2030 tournament. Upgrades are deemed essential to accommodate matches of this scale.
As part of the country’s bid, the Centenario Stadium is in the running to host the opening match 100 years after the inaugural World Cup was held in Montevideo, Uruguay. Despite its current capacity of over 60,000 seats, the stadium is smaller compared to other venues for World Cup openers or finals, which typically hold upwards of 80,000 seats.
Originally unveiled a year ago, the renovation plans have gained renewed attention. Key features of the proposed upgrades include the addition of a roof to the stadium, which serves as the home of the Uruguay national team but not any club side.
No official detail has been revealed as to the scale of the capacity expansion.
Nearly a century old, the Centenario clearly requires a facelift to be ready for World Cup action after a 100-year hiatus.
The 2030 tournament will mainly take place in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with one game each held in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
At the FIFA event on Monday, President Gianni Infantino said: “The submission of the bid books represents a key milestone in the bidding processes for the 2030 and 2034 editions of the FIFA World Cup as we aim to organise iconic celebrations of football and humanity.
“The seven bidding countries from four confederations have already given a lot to football, countries with great passion for the game, great organisational skills, and a shared vision of what football and its values should be. Equally, these bidding processes prove that football unites the world.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734973446labto1734973446ofdlr1734973446owedi1734973446sni@g1734973446niwe.1734973446yrrah1734973446.