FIFA president Gianni Infantino officially confirmed the anticipated hosting arrangement for the centennial men’s World Cup in 2030 on Wednesday, with six nations set to jointly host the event across three continents: Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay in South America, Morocco in North Africa, and Portugal and Spain in Europe.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia has been designated as the host for the 2034 World Cup.

What could have been monumental global news about the host nations for the event that captivates fans worldwide felt somewhat muted, as it was already hinted at months prior.

FIFA had indicated its intentions for both tournaments back in October 2023, with the votes from the 211 member nations largely formalizing uncontested bids during a virtual session of FIFA’s congress.

The inaugural match of the 2030 World Cup is slated to take place in Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo, marking the event’s historic 100th anniversary since its inception in 1930.

Infantino remarked, “What better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary in 2030 than to have the World Cup in six countries, on three continents, with 48 teams and 104 epic matches. The world will stand still for the 100 years of the World Cup.”

The announcement also marked the first World Cup for Saudi Arabia, making it the second tournament held in the Middle East and the third in the Arab world within a decade, following Qatar’s hosting in 2022.

While Saudi Arabia’s hosting was met with criticism regarding its human rights record, Infantino defended the decision, stating it could serve as a catalyst for positive change, saying, “I fully trust our hosts to address all open points and deliver a World Cup that meets the world’s expectations.”