The 2030 World Cup will be unique as the first World Cup to be held across three different continents. To celebrate the competition’s centenary, in addition to the tournament’s main base across Spain, Portugal and Morocco, FIFA announced last month that three games will be held in three different South American countries.
One of those is Paraguay, where CONMEBOL, the continent’s equivalent of UEFA, is based. The organisation has announced that it will build a brand new stadium known as Estadio Osvald Dominguez Dibb. Read on to find out what we know about the stadium so far.
What has happened to Estadio CONMEBOL project?
Estadio CONMEBOL project has now been suspended and is superseded by a new Estadio Osvaldo Dominguez Dibb (ODD). With that, Estadio Osvald Dominguez Dibb will now host Paraguay's centenary match during the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Estadio CONMEBOL was initially planned to be a 60,000-capacity venue with state-of-the-art heart facilities that meet FIFA standards. In December 2024, the country officially bid to host the 2030 World Cup, designating Club Olimpia's Estadio Osvald Dominguez Dibb as the venue for the opening match.. Just like previously proposed Estadio CONMEBOL, Estadio Osvald Dominguez Dibb is expected to be inaugurated in early 2027.
/https%3A%2F%2Ffootballgroundguide.com%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F11%2FIcon_sipausa_41833298.jpg "Estadio CONMEBOL: What we know about Paraguay's new 2030 World Cup stadium 1")
How will this compare to other stadiums in Paraguay?
Once completed, Estadio Osvald Dominguez Dibb will be the largest stadium in Paraguay with a capacity of 46,000. Currently, the two highest-capacity stadiums are also in Asunción. Estadio General Pablo Rojas is currently the largest, with a capacity of 45,000. It is home to Cerro Porteño, who are currently second in the Paraguayan Primera División and last won the league in 2021.
Estadio Defensores del Chaco, home to the Paraguay national team, has a capacity of just over 42,000. It was opened in 1917 and held the very first Copa Libertadores final in 1960.
How will Estadio Osvald Dominguez Dibb look?
Preliminary designs for Estadio Osvald Dominguez Dibb showcase a striking appearance with a curvilinear facade. The smooth, flowing lines will contribute to its modern sophistication. The stadium will feature partial roofing and covered tiers, along with up to 338 executive boxes.
Additionally, Estadio Osvald Dominguez Dibb will include VVIP areas and pitch-level suites, providing fans with a corporate experience during the 2030 World Cup. Other amenities will consist of food court patios, an official store, and an on-site club museum to enhance the fan experience. The venue will also offer parking for up to 600 vehicles.
Estadio Osvald Dominguez Dibb is expected to meet the highest quality standards, incorporating green technology for sustainability to align with global demands.
En Paraguay ya iniciaron las obras de remodelación en el estadio Osvaldo Domínguez Dibb casa del Olimpia ⚪⚫
Se observa la primera fase de demolición de gradas y limpieza, el estadio tendrá capacidad para 46.000 espectadores y se busca concluirlo en 2027.
Quiere ser la sede de… pic.twitter.com/nIql1Vdy3G
— Manytops Stadiums (@Manytops) December 1, 2024
What would happen to Estadio CONMEBOL after the World Cup?
After the conclusion of the 2030 FIFA World Cup Centenary matches, Estadio Osvald Dominguez Dibb will remain in full use as the home ground for Club Olimpia.
It will also serve as a major venue for continental and international finals, such as the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.
/https%3A%2F%2Ffootballgroundguide.com%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F11%2FIcon_spi_240610_401_82.jpg "Estadio CONMEBOL: What we know about Paraguay's new 2030 World Cup stadium 2")
What other countries will be hosting the World Cup?
In addition to Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina will each host one game at the 2030 World Cup. 100 years after Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 in the final of the very first World Cup, Estadio Centenario in Uruguay, the site of that victory, will host the opening game in 2030.
What other stadiums are being built for the 2030 World Cup?
Most of the other confederations involved in hosting the World Cup are electing to use existing stadiums to host their matches. The only other country which has announced plans to build a stadium is Morocco.
Fouzi Lekjaa, head of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, announced last month that the North African nation will be building a 93,000-seater stadium in Benslimane, near Casablanca. It is scheduled to be completed in 2028.