Next World Cup to Feature Historic Innovations; Six Nations Already Guaranteed Participation

In four years, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will serve as the primary hosts for the tournament. However, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will exceptionally host one match each.

The decision to stage the opening matches on the South American continent was made by the FIFA Council, which unanimously approved the idea. This move is intended as a tribute to football history, as the inaugural World Cup was held in Montevideo in 1930, with host nation Uruguay defeating Argentina in the final.

All countries hosting at least one match of the next World Cup are now guaranteed a spot in the tournament. However, it remains unclear what this will mean for the South American qualifiers, which traditionally involve all 10 teams.

It's confirmed that these three national teams will play their initial matches on home soil before relocating to the main tournament venues. Spain aims to defend their title and hopes to host the final in Madrid, a right that Morocco is also vying for.

It is also unknown whether the 2030 World Cup will again feature 48 teams. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hinted that the upcoming championship could potentially expand to include as many as 64 national teams.