APTOPIX Uruguay Colombia Wcup 2026 Soccer

Uruguay and Colombia to Co-Host 2026 FIFA World Cup

South American nations to welcome soccer fans for quadrennial tournament

ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) — The FIFA Council has confirmed that Uruguay and Colombia will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The quadrennial tournament, which is the world's most popular sporting event, will be the first to feature 48 teams.

Uruguay and Colombia were selected from a field of three bids, which also included a joint bid from Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. The South American nations' bid was favored by FIFA's technical evaluation group, which cited the countries' strong soccer infrastructure, passionate fan base, and commitment to sustainability.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first to be held in South America since Brazil hosted the 2014 tournament. It will also be the first time that Uruguay has hosted the World Cup since 1930, when the country won the inaugural tournament.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that he is confident that Uruguay and Colombia will host a "spectacular" World Cup in 2026.

"We are very happy to have awarded the hosting rights of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to Uruguay and Colombia," Infantino said. "These two countries have a rich soccer tradition and a deep passion for the game. I am convinced that they will organize a tournament that will be remembered for its quality and its passion."