FIFA inspection puts Barcelona’s World Cup final bid under scrutiny

A FIFA delegation visited Spotify Camp Nou on Monday as part of its assessment of the cities and stadiums being considered for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with the Barcelona ground among the contenders to host the final.

The delegation’s visit comes as competition intensifies between Spain and Morocco over the venue for the tournament’s closing match. According to Spanish newspaper AS, Spotify Camp Nou is one of three stadiums included in the host bid as a potential venue for any World Cup match, including the final.

The other two grounds in contention for the final are Santiago Bernabeu and Morocco’s Hassan II Stadium, which is still under construction. Spotify Camp Nou is one of two Spanish options, alongside Santiago Bernabeu, while Morocco is seeking to stage the match at Hassan II Stadium.

Representatives of FIFA were joined during the inspection by officials from the Spanish Football Federation, people from the relevant institutions and several members of Barcelona, led by club president Joan Laporta.

The assessment covered more than the stadium itself. Inspectors reviewed its facilities as well as the surrounding infrastructure, hotel capacity, hospitals, transport and communications. They also considered the secondary venues that would be used as training centres for the participating national teams.

Spotify Camp Nou is still undergoing redevelopment and renovation work, which has yet to be completed. Its candidacy is being assessed amid an ongoing debate among the host countries over which stadium should stage the final.

FIFA will have sole authority over the final decision. The inspection visits are intended to help assess the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate venue and determine whether it can meet the requirements for hosting the match.

The first major decision expected, however, will be the number of host cities and the stadiums selected to stage matches at the tournament. FIFA’s inspection tour in Barcelona will continue on Tuesday, when the delegation is due to visit RCDE Stadium.