Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo reacts as Portugal declared 2030 World Cup co-hosts

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Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo has taken to Instagram to react to the news that Portugal will be co-hosting the 2030 World Cup.

On Wednesday, FIFA confirmed that the 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Portugal, Spain and Morocco, with the opening three matches in South America.

It will be the first time that Portugal will host World Cup matches, and Ronaldo, who has won 217 caps for his nation, has welcomed and celebrated the news.

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Cristiano Ronaldo says 2030 World Cup being co-hosted by Portugal is a ‘dream come true’

The Manchester United and Real Madrid icon posted a picture on Instagram featuring the words “2030 World Cup – Portugal” and “the most special World Cup ever”.

Ronaldo also captioned the post: “A dream come true. Portugal will host the World Cup 2030 and make us proud. Together!”

The opening three games of the 2030 World Cup are set to place in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Spain, Portugal and Morocco’s 2030 bid had initially been up against a South American bid.

However, an arrangement was made for South America to instead stage the opening three matches of the centenary 2030 finals.

The first ever men’s football World Cup took place in Uruguay back in 1930 and was won by the hosts.

Who will host the 2034 World Cup?

FIFA also announced the hosts of the 2034 World Cup on the same day as they confirmed Spain, Portugal and Morocco’s successful bid for the 2030 World Cup.

Saudi Arabia, where Ronaldo plays his club football for Al-Nassr, are set to host the 2034 tournament.

Both the 2030 and 2034 bids were uncontested and were ratified at an online FIFA Congress.

Saudi Arabia emerged last year as the sole bidder in a process that saw FIFA combine the decisions on the 2030 and 2034 tournaments into a single vote.

This meant delegates either supported or opposed both bids with no separate vote available.