The organization and hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup final remains the main battleground between Spaniards and Moroccans.
This dossier has a newly declared candidate: it is Joan Laporta, who wants Spotify Camp Nou to fully enter the race against the future Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane, near Casablanca, and the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. Invited to Cadena SER, the president of FC Barcelona publicly defended the Catalan venue.
“The final should be neither in Casablanca nor in Madrid; it should be at Spotify Camp Nou,” Laporta said,
before adding in a joking tone: “Casablanca and Madrid are the same thing.” His main argument: the renovated Camp Nou should reach a capacity of about 105,000 spectators.
The Camp Nou enters the Morocco-Spain battle
The dossier remains entirely open. Morocco is pushing the candidacy of the Grand Stade Hassan II, announced at 115,000 seats.
Fouzi Lekjaa had even stated that the final would be played in Benslimane. But FIFA subsequently recalled that no official decision had yet been taken regarding the final.
Laporta, for his part, believes that Spain should host this event, while defending Barcelona rather than Madrid. Santiago Bernabéu had already hosted the 1982 World Cup final, won by Italy against West Germany.
Camp Nou has never hosted a World Cup final, but UEFA has just awarded it the 2029 UEFA Champions League final.
World Cup 2030: six countries on the menu
The 2030 World Cup will be primarily organized by Morocco, Spain and Portugal. To celebrate the centenary of the competition, Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will each host a match. The six teams are automatically qualified.
According to the calendar announced by FIFA, the commemorative matches in South America must be played on June 8 and 9, 2030. The opening matches among the three main organizers are planned for June 13 and 14.
The final is scheduled for Sunday, July 21, 2030, with no stadium officially designated to date.
Casablanca, Madrid or Barcelona: three XXL bids
The choice is expected to be highly contested. Casablanca bets on the future Hassan II Stadium with its 115,000 seats, Madrid on the prestige of the Bernabéu, while Barcelona advances a renovated Camp Nou with 105,000 seats. For Laporta, hosting the final would be a major international recognition for the Blaugrana stadium.
The president of Barça assures that the club will officially defend its candidacy with the relevant authorities. While awaiting FIFA’s decision, Spain and Morocco continue to publicly express their ambitions to secure the tournament’s most prestigious match.
The dossier also indirectly concerns FC Barcelona, the reigning La Liga champions, who want to place their stadium at the center of major global events.
