Barcelona councillor to fight for Camp Nou to host FIFA World Cup 2030 final: “Will have greater capacity than Bernabeu”
With Spain set to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2030, Barcelona has been chosen as one of the cities to hold matches at Barça’s Spotify Camp Nou.
However, early reports have suggested that the final will be hosted at Real Madrid’s new Santiago Bernabeu.
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has already stated that he wants Camp Nou to be the host stadium for the finals.
“We have already asked to host the 2030 World Cup and of course, we would like to host the final. I think we will host a semi-final,” Laporta had said in October last year.
“The final? I suppose the power centres will want it to be at the Bernabeu. We will ask for it because Camp Nou deserves it but I don’t know if we will make it. I would take a semi-final for sure.”
And it appears that the city of Barcelona is also rowing in the same direction, with sports councillor David Escude admitting today that they will fight to secure the final hosting rights at Camp Nou.
“We have fought and worked for two very clear things. The first is for both stadiums to be venues [Camp Nou and Cornella El-Prat], the second is for Barcelona to host the World Cup final,” he said, as quoted by SPORT.
“We must take a step forward, be brave. We must bet on Barcelona having the capacity to host the Final. The Camp Nou will have a greater capacity than the new Bernabéu, and we must make this fact known to the RFEF.
“FIFA has the last word, although we are committed to the bid despite the difficulties”, he acknowledged.
Barcelona are currently playing at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Montjuic as Camp Nou undergoes a complete renovation.
The idea is to return to the iconic stadium at the end of this year, although it will be at only 60% capacity. The stadium is expected to be open at 100% capacity sometime in 2026, well ahead in time for the World Cup in 2030.
