Spain’s Rafael Louzan steps up case for 2030 World Cup final

Rafael Louzan, president of the Spanish Football Federation, says Spain should host the 2030 World Cup final because it will stage most of the tournament’s matches and represents 55% of the joint bid with Portugal and Morocco.

Louzan’s comments are a direct statement of Spain’s position as Morocco also seeks to stage the showpiece fixture at home. The three countries will host the 2030 World Cup, but the venue for the final has yet to be decided.

Speaking at Uefa’s annual security conference in Madrid, Louzan said the tournament should become “the best World Cup in history” and highlighted the shared role of Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

“We want the 2030 edition to be the best World Cup in history, which we will celebrate alongside Portugal and Morocco,” he said.

In comments reported by MARCA on Tuesday, Louzan argued that Spain’s contribution to the bid gave it the strongest claim to the final.

“Spain will be ready for a historic event, and will offer the world a safe and unforgettable World Cup. We will host the majority of the matches, and represent 55% of the weight of the bid, which is why Spain is the place where the final should be played,” he said.

Louzan also presented Spain as a country capable of providing the security and organisational standards required for major international football events.

“We have full guarantees for the security and success of major football events,” he added.

The Spanish football chief pointed to the country’s record of hosting prominent competitions and matches, as well as the achievements of Spain’s national teams across different tournaments. He said those successes, combined with Spain’s experience staging major sporting occasions, strengthened the country’s case.

“Spain is not only a major football nation, but also a country that offers the highest guarantees for this sport,” said Louzan.

Spain has hosted a series of major events under Uefa in recent years. Those occasions include matches at Euro 2020, the Europa League final in Seville in 2023 and the same competition’s final in Bilbao in 2025.

Bilbao also hosted the Women’s Champions League final in 2024, while Madrid’s Metropolitano stadium staged the Champions League final in 2019.

The Spanish capital is due to host the Champions League final again in 2027, with the match scheduled to take place at the Metropolitano. Louzan described that as another opportunity for Spain to successfully organise one of the world’s most significant sporting events.

Madrid is hosting Uefa’s annual security conference on 1 and 2 September. More than 500 representatives from clubs, national associations and security organisations are taking part, along with representatives of all 55 national football associations that belong to Uefa.

The conference provides the setting for Louzan’s latest comments as discussions continue around the distribution of matches and the location of the 2030 World Cup final. The tournament will be jointly staged by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.