Morocco will not participate in the 2030 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after securing automatic qualification as one of the tournament’s main hosts.

The North African country will host the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain, while Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will stage special matches to mark the centenary of the competition.

FIFA confirmed that all six countries will automatically qualify for the tournament through the allocation of places from their respective continental confederations.

Why Morocco won’t play in the qualifiers

Morocco’s place at the 2030 World Cup is guaranteed because it is one of the three principal host nations.

The country will co-host the bulk of the tournament with Portugal and Spain. FIFA’s plans call for the majority of the matches to be played across the three countries, with the competition also extending to South America for three centenary celebration fixtures.

This means Morocco will not need to compete against other African nations for one of the continent’s qualifying places.

The decision provides Morocco with the opportunity to prepare for the tournament without the pressure of a qualifying campaign, while also giving another African nation a potential opportunity to compete for a place in the finals.

Six countries already qualified

Morocco is one of six countries that have already secured their places at the 2030 World Cup.

The six automatically qualified nations are:

Morocco

Portugal

Spain

Uruguay

Argentina

Paraguay

Morocco, Portugal and Spain were selected as the main hosts, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will each stage one match during the tournament’s centenary celebrations.

Why Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay are involved.

The unusual hosting arrangement is designed to celebrate 100 years of the FIFA World Cup.

The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930, with the South American country winning the inaugural tournament.

FIFA will hold the official centenary celebration in Montevideo, while Argentina will host a match in recognition of its position as runners-up in the 1930 final.

Paraguay was selected to stage a match because it is home to CONMEBOL, the South American football governing body.

Morocco’s historic role

Morocco’s involvement gives Africa a major presence at the 2030 World Cup.

The country will become the first African nation to co-host a men’s FIFA World Cup since South Africa staged the tournament in 2010.

For Morocco, the tournament will also provide the opportunity to play on home soil at a World Cup while avoiding the qualifying process.

The 2030 edition is expected to be one of the most unusual World Cups in history, with matches taking place across Africa, Europe and South America as FIFA combines the tournament with celebrations marking a century of the competition.

For African football, Morocco’s automatic qualification also means other nations will have the chance to battle for the continent’s remaining World Cup places during the qualifying campaign. (Vanguard)

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