Cristiano Ronaldo was expectedly thrilled and shared a heartfelt message following Portugal’s confirmation as one of the co-hosts for the 2030 World Cup.
FIFA officially announced on Wednesday that Portugal, Spain, and Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup. This decision was expected, as their joint bid was the sole proposal submitted. To commemorate the tournament’s centenary, the opening three matches will take place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, before the event moves to Europe and North Africa.
The news has been well-received in Portugal, with Ronaldo visibly excited about the announcement. The Al-Nassr star, who is expected to play in the 2026 World Cup despite being 41 at the time, expressed that it’s a dream come true to see his country chosen as the host for the 2030 edition of the prestigious tournament.
Ronaldo expressed pride in Portugal’s role as a host for the 2030 World Cup, stating it would be a source of national pride. This feeling is shared by all the host countries, highlighting a collective sense of accomplishment. The tournament’s structure celebrates football’s history and global influence.
He posted on Instagram: “A dream come true. Portugal will host the World Cup 2030 and make us proud. Together!”
Um sonho tornado realidade 🇵🇹 Portugal vai receber o Mundial 2030 e encher-nos de orgulho. Juntos! pic.twitter.com/rkxkf8bYUZ
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 11, 2024
By including South American, European, and African nations, FIFA emphasizes the sport’s origins and global unity. This decision honors past milestones while looking ahead to future collaborations across cultures and regions. As preparations unfold, fans around the world eagerly await what promises to be a remarkable and historic event.
While reactions in Spain and Portugal were calm, South America’s governing body, CONMEBOL, marked this historic occasion with celebration. Its president, Alejandro Domínguez, noted that this day would go down in South American football history. Speaking from CONMEBOL’s headquarters in Paraguay, Domínguez said, “FIFA chose to honor history. The World Cup is returning home.” He emphasized that Uruguay hosted the first World Cup and was also the inaugural champion, while Argentina is now the reigning World Cup titleholder.
FIFA also announced that the 2034 World Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia, where Ronaldo currently plays for Pro League club Al-Nassr. Ronaldo has won a European Championship and a Nations League title with Portugal, but a World Cup has always eluded him. He may have one final chance to claim the prestigious trophy in 2026 when the tournament is held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
