FIFA set to announce hosts for 2030, 2034 World Cups

NEW DELHI: FIFA is set to confirm the hosts of the 2030 and 2034 men's World Cups on Wednesday, with a three-continent, six-nation bid led by Morocco, Spain and Portugal to be awarded the former and the latter going to Saudi Arabia.

In October last year, the global soccer governing body said there were no competing bids for the two tournaments, making Wednesday's decision little more than a formality.

A day before the announcement it was still not clear exactly what format a vote on the decision would adopt, with acceptance by "acclamation" expected rather than a formal vote.

On Tuesday, the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) said it would vote against the awarding of hosting rights by acclamation and criticised FIFA's bidding process, saying it was "flawed and inconsistent".

Morocco, Spain and Portugal's combined proposal will see the 2030 World Cup take place across three continents and six countries to mark the tournament's centenary, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay hosting celebratory games.

Saudi Arabia will become the second nation from the Middle East to host the quadrennial tournament in 2034, 12 years after neighbours Qatar staged the 2022 edition. Agencies

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