2030 World Cup final: Spanish FA president delivers firm venue message

Spanish Football Federation president Rafael Louzan has insisted the 2030 World Cup final must be played in Spain, rejecting any suggestion that the host venue remains open to negotiation.

Louzan was speaking at an event held for the travelling “Kings of the World” exhibition at Cibeles Palace in Madrid, ahead of Spain’s match against England at the Metropolitano on Sunday evening.

His comments, reported by AS, were presented as a call for unity but left little doubt about his position on the final.

“I want to send a message calling for unity,” Louzan said.

“I also want to make clear that there is only one possibility for that final: it must be played in this country. In Spain. It is important that we are all convinced of the same thing.”

The 2030 World Cup will be jointly organised by Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Morocco is seeking to stage the final at a new stadium in Casablanca, while Spain has consistently argued that the country should host the tournament’s concluding match.

“It is a World Cup, and it is Europe’s turn to host it,” Louzan added. “We will work to ensure that the memory of this tournament remains unforgettable in Spain.”

The Madrid event was also attended by Isabel Diaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid, Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida and Madrid Football Federation president Paco Diez.

Madrid mayor warns of consequences

Diaz Ayuso used her speech to emphasise Madrid’s ability to welcome people and overcome setbacks.

“There is a place for everyone in Madrid,” she said, describing the Community of Madrid as a sporting region that rewards talent and effort, above all the capacity to overcome difficulties.

“We are successful many times, and on other occasions we fail, but we always have the ability to rise again in the face of adversity,” she added.

Martinez-Almeida adopted a stronger tone over the final’s destination, arguing that Spain met every requirement to host the last match of the 2030 World Cup.

He said Spain’s role in the tournament would need to be reconsidered if it were not awarded the final, describing that outcome as a direct insult to the country and stressing that there were limits to everything.

The mayor repeated his long-standing view that the final should be held in Spain, noting that the initiative came from Spain and Portugal before Morocco joined the bid. He also referred to Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, which have stadiums despite not being among the main three co-hosts.

“The final must be played here,” Martinez-Almeida said. “After everything Spanish football contributes, will they deny us the final? After what our men’s and women’s national teams, and our Olympic team, have achieved, and what we delivered at the European Championship, does anyone have the courage to take the final away from a city with the best stadiums, the best infrastructure and experience of hosting major events?”