Spotify Camp Nou joins Madrid and Casablanca in race to host 2030 World Cup final

The race to stage the 2030 World Cup final has become a three-way contest between Madrid, Barcelona and Casablanca, with Spotify Camp Nou emerging as a serious contender alongside Santiago Bernabeu and Morocco’s Grand Stade Hassan II.

Madrid was initially regarded as Spain’s leading option to host the final, but Morocco has stepped up its efforts in recent months to promote Casablanca as a candidate. Barcelona has also begun pushing its redeveloped stadium, which is expected to have a capacity of about 104,000 by 2030.

Spotify Camp Nou’s bid is supported by its large capacity and extensive redevelopment. The stadium is also due to host the 2029 UEFA Champions League final, adding to Barcelona’s case.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has publicly backed the club’s ambition to stage the World Cup final, saying the city is capable of organising the event.

Madrid’s proposal is built around the historical experience and established infrastructure of Santiago Bernabeu. The stadium has undergone a major transformation, with cumulative investment reaching about 1.4bn euros by June 2026. Improvements have also been made around the ground, including transport links serving the stadium.

Casablanca’s bid centres on the planned Grand Stade Hassan II in Mansouria. The proposed venue would hold 115,000 spectators, making it the largest of the three stadiums under consideration.

The Moroccan project also includes parallel investment in the country’s transport network, airport and railway system. While Barcelona is relying on capacity and a comprehensive stadium redevelopment, and Madrid on its venue’s experience and existing infrastructure, Casablanca is offering a major new stadium backed by wider institutional planning.

The final decision rests with FIFA, with the eventual hosting plan expected to be determined during 2028.

The decision-making process will take place against the backdrop of the FIFA Congress in Rabat on 18 March 2027. The event will include elections for the FIFA presidency, with Gianni Infantino seeking a new term.

The three bidders will be waiting for the outcome of the World Cup final venue process, as FIFA considers the competing proposals from Santiago Bernabeu, Spotify Camp Nou and Grand Stade Hassan II.