Real Madrid tell Fifa Bernabeu expertise should decide 2030 World Cup final

Real Madrid have told Fifa that Santiago Bernabeu’s ability to host major events should give Spain’s bid the edge in the contest to stage the 2030 World Cup final.

The message was delivered during a Fifa delegation’s visit to the stadium as part of an assessment of the cities and venues being considered for the tournament, which will be hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

A final decision on the distribution of matches, including the venue for the final, is not expected before 2027. However, Real Madrid used the visit to argue that the quality of a stadium alone should not determine the outcome.

“ You can build a golden stadium, but you have to know how to manage events. You need a team that makes everything run smoothly, and we are the best,” one club official told the Fifa representatives.

The official has about two decades of experience organising matches and events at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid’s pitch is that operational expertise is as important as the stadium’s extensive redevelopment and facilities.

The club pointed to its record of staging major matches and international events, most recently hosting an American football game last week. It believes that experience gives Madrid a clear advantage over its rivals for the final.

The position has previously been communicated by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to Fifa president Gianni Infantino during earlier meetings.

Spain insists on hosting final

Real Madrid are not the only Spanish party to have made its position clear. The Spanish Football Federation has also used the Fifa visit to press its case, with president Rafael Louzan focusing on the allocation of matches and, in particular, the final on 21 July 2030.

At a dinner with Fifa officials, Louzan said Spain remained committed to hosting the showpiece game. He argued that the final should be played in Spain because the country will stage the largest number of matches and is playing a leading role in organising the tournament.

Spain has not threatened to withdraw from the joint bid, according to Marca, and that scenario is not regarded as a serious possibility. But the political and sporting debate has become more pronounced as Morocco emerges as a genuine rival for the final rather than simply a partner in the tournament.

Sanchez adds political backing

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has also entered the debate, backing the joint bid while stressing that Spain will host the greatest share of the 2030 World Cup matches.

Sanchez recalled Spain’s World Cup triumph at a tournament staged in the United States, describing the moment when his country received the trophy from US president Donald Trump as “a real political euphoria”.

He said the idea for the tournament had originally come from Spain and Portugal before Morocco joined the project, adding that Europe had been waiting to host the competition and that Morocco’s inclusion strengthened co-operation between the three countries.

Sanchez also spoke of his ambition for Spain to win the title on home soil in 2030.

“We won in South Africa, we won in New York, and now it is our turn to win in Spain in 2030, isn’t it?” he said.

The final decision will ultimately rest with Fifa.