In a significant development for international football, Spain has been officially confirmed as the host nation for the 2030 World Cup final. The announcement was made by Rafael Louzán, President of the Spanish Football Federation, during a media briefing on Monday, though FIFA has yet to make an official statement regarding venue allocations for the tri-continental tournament.
Louzán definitively stated that Spain would lead the World Cup organization and host the championship match, without specifying the exact location within the country. This confirmation follows considerable speculation about potential venues, with Spanish media long favoring Real Madrid’s renovated Santiago Bernabeu Stadium as the frontrunner. Barcelona’s upgraded Camp Nou stadium also remains a potential contender for hosting the final match.
The decision represents a setback for Morocco, which had aggressively campaigned to host the final at the future Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca. Slated for completion in 2028 with a planned capacity of 115,000 spectators, the venue would have been the world’s largest football arena. However, recent organizational challenges during the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which faced criticism for logistical issues, potentially diminished Morocco’s bid to host the World Cup final.
The 2030 World Cup will feature an unprecedented hosting arrangement across three continents, with Spain, Portugal, and Morocco serving as primary co-hosts. In a symbolic nod to football history, South American nations Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will each host one match to commemorate the tournament’s centennial celebration, marking a return to Uruguay where the inaugural World Cup was held in 1930.