2030 World Cup Hosts to Play Qualifiers Despite Automatic Spots, Says APF Chief
Although Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay have secured automatic qualification for the 2030 World Cup as three of the six host countries, they will still participate in the qualifying matches, according to Paraguayan Football Association head Robert Harrison.
These three nations will each host a match during the tournament, which marks the 100th anniversary of the men's World Cup, first held in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1930. The remainder of the competition will take place across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
Playing Qualifiers Despite Being Qualified
FIFA is expected to grant automatic qualification to all six host countries. Yet, Harrison confirmed the South American hosts will still compete in the CONMEBOL qualifiers. This participation isn't merely symbolic.
Harrison revealed plans for a tournament akin to the UEFA Nations League, where South American teams would face European opponents based on their qualification standings.
"We’re all going to play qualifiers. We’re already qualified, but we’re all going to play qualifiers for positions for a future tournament that will be played against Europeans," Harrison said on Paraguayan radio station Rock&Pop.
"If you stay in fourth place or fifth, you’ll play against Spain, Germany, Europe 1, Europe 2 or Europe 3. If you play against Europe 3, your profit will be almost nothing, if it’s against Europe 2, more and Europe 1 it’s much more. There’s an economic factor that is very, very important in this qualification."
Future Competitions and Financial Stakes
Historically, CONMEBOL and UEFA have collaborated, such as with the Finalissima trophy contested between Copa América and European Championship winners. There have also been talks of inviting CONMEBOL teams to the UEFA Nations League in some capacity.
Harrison explained that the upcoming qualifiers will award three and a half spots for the World Cup, but since the three South American hosts are already qualified, their performance will influence placement in a new competition against European teams.
"These qualifiers for this World Cup will qualify three and a half spots. There will be three and a half places," Harrison said. "Us three are already qualified. We’re seeing a possible project with the Europeans where this championship will be against them and will be played according to the location in the table, how the qualifiers in 2030 turn out."
Potential Expansion of the Tournament
Currently, the plan is for each South American host to stage one match only. But CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez, who hails from Paraguay, is advocating for expanding the World Cup to 64 teams from the current 48. Should this happen, Paraguay might host an entire group stage instead of just a single game.
