By Raymond Ebireri
The 2030 FIFA World Cup is set to make history by returning to African soil for the first time since 2010. Morocco will join hands with Spain and Portugal as co-hosts, making it a groundbreaking edition with three countries collaborating to host the world’s most significant football event.
The 2030 edition holds special significance as it marks the 100th anniversary of the tournament. In celebration of this milestone, the first three games will be held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
But why these three nations? Uruguay holds a unique place in history as the host of the inaugural World Cup in 1930, which they went on to win. Argentina and Paraguay, on the other hand, are the proud home of the South American football federation, CONMEBOL. These three countries will commence the tournament on their home turf before transitioning to host nations Morocco, Spain, and Portugal to continue the competition.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed his delight, stating, “In a divided world, FIFA and football are uniting.”
Similarly, President of CONMEBOL Alejandro Dominguez remarked, “We aimed high and dreamed big. The 2030 Centenario World Cup starts where it all began. The host of the opening matches of the Centenario World Cup will be Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina.”
The decision to play the first three games in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay also serves as a tribute to the tournament’s South American roots.