OFFICIAL: Saudi Arabia is the host country for the 2034 FIFA World Cup

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is hosting the most prestigious tournament in football; the 2034 World Cup

The Middle East nation were the sole bidders for the finals in 10 years, with an online FIFA Congress voting in favour of their staging despite controversy surrounding the bid.

Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will co-host the 2030 World Cup, with the first three matches of that tournament held in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.

The opening match of the 2030 World Cup will be played in Uruguay to mark 100 years since the inaugural 1930 finals when La Celeste beat Argentina in the showpiece match.

After that, the next two games will be staged in Argentina and Paraguay respectively, before the rest of the tournament is played in the three main co-host countries.

The agreement for South America to stage the opening games in 2030 - reached in October last year - paved the way for Saudi Arabia to be the sole host in 2034.

Australia, considered the only realistic challengers to Saudi Arabia, confirmed on October 31 last year that they would not be bidding.

The Football Association also supported the 2030 and 2034 bids, and is expected to issue a statement later explaining their decision.

Following the decision on the appointment of the hosts of the 2030 and 2034 editions of the FIFA World Cup, President Infantino added: “The FIFA World Cup is unique, and it is a unique catalyst as well for positive social change and unity because these tournaments, 2030, the celebration, 2034 – they are tournaments to unite, not to divide. They are tournaments, of course, to discuss, to debate and to act. But most importantly, today, today is a day of unity and a day of celebration.

“Seven countries have won their World Cup today. Congratulations to Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Saudi Arabia. This is your day. So, you should celebrate and we, we celebrate, of course, with you. And you, the 211 FIFA Member Associations that I can see on a giant screen in front of me, you are uniting the world. You are uniting the world truly, through football, because, of course, football unites the world.”

The Extraordinary FIFA Congress also approved the budgetary principles for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, with all revenues generated being reinvested in club football.