FIFA confirms six host nations for 2030 World Cup, including Morocco, Spain, and Portugal
via Abidjan.net8 min read
The International Federation of Association Football FIFA has officially confirmed the first six countries to qualify for the 2030 World Cup: Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. These nations automatically secure their spots as host countries for this historic edition, which will mark the tournament's centenary. Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will primarily host the competition, from the group stages to the final. In a tribute to the first World Cup held in Uruguay in 1930, three inaugural matches will take place in South America, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay each hosting one game before the tournament continues in Africa and Europe. This 2030 World Cup will be a first in football history, as it will be organized across three continents: Africa, Europe, and South America. For Morocco, this qualification is particularly significant, as it becomes the second African nation to host a World Cup, following South Africa in 2010. With four years until kick-off, the six host countries can prepare their participation, while other teams will need to go through qualifiers.
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Ivory Coast's national football team, the Elephants, has advanced two places to 31st in the latest FIFA world rankings. This progression follows their performance at the recent World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, where they reached the round of 16 for the first time in their history under coach 脡merse Fa茅. This achievement earned them significant points, solidifying their position among Africa's top footballing nations. They now rank ahead of Cameroon 43rd, the Democratic Republic of Congo 41st, and Tunisia 57th, though they remain behind Algeria 29th, Nigeria 26th, Egypt 24th, and Senegal 18th, with Senegal being the highest-ranked African team after Morocco. Globally, Spain has taken the top spot after winning the World Cup, displacing Argentina to second, while France holds third place. Morocco also made a historic leap to 6th worldwide, marking a significant rise for an African nation.
The Interprofessional Agricultural Organization OIA Anacarde officially launched its national campaign for the rehabilitation of dense cashew orchards on Saturday, July 18, in Dj茅dri-Ville, Yamoussoukro. This initiative aims to revitalize aging or degraded plantations to sustainably improve the productivity of the cashew sector. The launch followed a training workshop held from July 16 to 18 for relay producers, where they learned about cashew tree diseases, pest insects, and prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation techniques. The practical phase, which took place in a demonstration orchard in Dj茅dri-Ville, served as the official launch setting. Soro Beh, President of the OIA Anacarde Board of Directors, emphasized that orchard rehabilitation is crucial for increasing national production performance and improving producer incomes. He urged all stakeholders to embrace the campaign for its success. Mrs. Koudougnon n茅e Goba Alice, representing the regional prefect, commended the initiative, stating it will restore the productive potential of cashew orchards and encouraged producers to apply the learned techniques to enhance yields and competitiveness. The ceremony concluded with the distribution of vouchers to Regional Unions and Professional Organizations of the Cashew Chain to support rehabilitation operations in various production zones across the country.
The Central Bank of West African States BCEAO commenced a two-day regional seminar on Monday, July 20, 2026, at its headquarters in Dakar. The seminar is designed for economic journalists from member countries of the West African Monetary Union UEMOA. Presided over by Mr. Habib Thiam, the institution's Secretary General, on behalf of Governor Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, this event is the second of its kind, following a previous one in May 2013. It reflects the BCEAO's commitment to establishing a continuous and structured dialogue with the Union's media. The Secretary General highlighted that the Central Bank operates amidst numerous geopolitical, economic, financial, and security challenges, compounded by accelerating digitalization and technological advancements. In response to these changes, the BCEAO has reaffirmed its strategic goal to be "an innovative and resilient Central Bank, serving the populations and sustainable development of the Union's economies." This vision is supported by a renewed communication policy, emphasizing proactivity and proximity, to better explain monetary decisions and financial issues that affect citizens' daily lives. Economic journalists are considered "privileged relays" crucial for deciphering and popularizing complex financial topics for the general public. Over the two days, institutional experts will lead interactive sessions on key UEMOA priorities, including monetary policy and financial stability, economic financing and inclusion, and di