Neither FIFA nor the three organizing federations (in a joint statement issued on Wednesday) provided further details on logistics. However, it discovered CMThe three games in South America will take place six, five and four days before the start of the tournament itself. This way, the teams that play these matches (neither of them are European) will have time to adjust to the time zone (the same in Portugal and Morocco and an hour more in Spain).
Current FIFA rules require a minimum capacity of 40,000 seats for World Cup matches. Only three stadiums in Portugal (Luz, Alvalade and Dragao) comply with these rules, but CM knows that with regard to the Iberian candidacy it is expected that this rule could be relaxed, opening the way to the acceptance of more stadiums. In Portugal, the main candidates will be Guimarães, Algarve and Leiria. In Spain, Vigo, La Coruña, Gijon, Malaga, Zaragoza or Murcia can now apply.
If FIFA remains intransigent, Portugal will not be able to host the final (minimum 80,000 seats) and the natural choice will be the Bernabeu (Madrid). And only Luz will be a candidate for reaching the semi-finals (minimum 60 thousand places).
After the World Cup was expanded to 48 teams, the number of games increased from 80 to 104. After the first three, South America remained at 101. With three stadiums, the number of games played in Portugal is expected to be between 14 and 20.
No figures have been released yet, but the impact of the World Cup on the Portuguese economy will be significant. For example, the base estimate for the winning project from the US, Mexico and Canada indicates an impact of $5 billion, about €4.6 billion, from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Portugal with several centers
In addition to the three stadiums, Portugal will have several training centers for national teams: Cidade do Futebol, Jamor, Alcochete, Seixal, Olival, Guimarães, Braga and the Algarve region.
Ukraine and Chile are lagging behind
Ukraine’s withdrawal from the Iberian candidacy, together with Morocco, was officially announced on Wednesday. Chile, which was part of the South American nomination, is another “forgotten” country in Wednesday’s decision.
Pleases several sides
Europe, South America and Africa are pleased with the unprecedented division of the three confederations at the World Cup. But Asia and Oceania also benefit as their countries become the only ones eligible to bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup – North America is excluded as it will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Saudi Arabia and Australia in the race
On Wednesday, FIFA officially opened the list of candidates for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Saudi Arabia and Australia have already announced their intention to participate.
Hosts for 2028 and 2032
England and Ireland are the only candidates to host Euro 2028 after Turkey joined Italy to compete for Euro 2032.
“The ability to innovate will determine the future” of the test
“Each of our countries brings a vibrant football tradition, unparalleled organizational experience and a capacity for innovation that will certainly shape the future of the competition,” Fernando Gomez, president of the FPF, said on Wednesday.
The organization’s approval in September 2024 will be Gomez’s last public appearance with the FPF.
The 2029 Club World Cup should be an additional one
This is not yet guaranteed, but all indications are that the 2029 Club World Cup could also be hosted by Portugal, Spain and Morocco, which would serve as a test for next year’s World Cup.
FIFA used the missing Confederations Cup as a test ball.
Author: João Moniz
Source: CM Jornal
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.