2030 FIFA World Cup to be held across three continents, 3rd continent comes in as surprise addition

A unique 2030 World Cup is set to be played across three continents, Europe, Africa with the surprising addition of South America in a deal to allow the men’s football tournament to start with a 100th birthday party in Uruguay.

FIFA reached an agreement on Wednesday between football’s continental leaders to accept only one candidate for hosting the 2030 tournament, the sport's governing body said.

The Spain-Portugal bid grew to add Morocco this year and now also includes long-time bid rivals Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

A key lure of the unprecedented three-continent project is being able to open in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, where the Centenario Stadium hosted the inaugural 1930 World Cup final.

The FIFA Council’s acceptance of a unified 2030 candidacy still needs formal approval next year at a meeting of the 211 member federations but should be just a formality.