Madrid mayor Almeida doubts 2030 World Cup final will be held in the Spanish capital

Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida says he is not optimistic that the capital will host the 2030 World Cup final, warning that “there must be consequences” if it does not.

The dispute over the venue for the tournament’s showpiece match remains unresolved, with Spain and Morocco still competing to stage the final. The initial expectation was that it would be played at the Santiago Bernabeu, while Spotify Camp Nou was also considered a possible option.

Recent developments, however, have increased the chances of the final being awarded to the Grand Stade Hassan II, which is currently under construction in Benslimane, Morocco. The stadium is expected to have a large capacity once completed.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Almeida said: “I am not optimistic. I believe Morocco, which wants to host the final and has every right to seek it, is working at both political and institutional level to achieve that. But I have no evidence that the Spanish government is acting in the same way.”

He added: “I have no reason to believe that the Spanish government will make every effort to ensure Madrid hosts the World Cup.”

Almeida argued that it would be unusual for the final not to take place in Madrid, given the structure of the 2030 tournament. Spain is organising the competition jointly with Portugal, which was later joined by Morocco, while Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina are each due to host three matches.

The mayor said: “The 2030 World Cup is being organised by Spain together with Portugal, later joined by Morocco, as well as Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina with three matches. In this situation, it does not seem normal that the final should not be in Madrid.”

Although he acknowledged that he was not the person responsible for deciding whether Spain should reconsider its continued involvement, Almeida made clear what he believed should follow if Madrid loses the final.

“In my opinion, there must be consequences, without a doubt,” he said.

The choice of venue remains open as the competing claims involving Spain and Morocco continue. Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu was previously viewed as the leading destination for the final, with Spotify Camp Nou among the alternatives in Spain, but the growing scale of the Grand Stade Hassan II is strengthening Morocco’s case.