Javier Tebas and Joan Laporta have reignited the fierce debate surrounding the host venue for the 2030 FIFA World Cup final. The La Liga president tied Spain’s hosting prospects directly to the leadership of Gianni Infantino, while the Barcelona president pushed for the match to be staged at the revamped Camp Nou.
Tebas believes that if Infantino remains at the helm of FIFA, Morocco will hold the clear advantage to host the final at the newly planned Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca, despite no official decision having been made yet.
“If Infantino stays, Spain’s chances are slim to zero,” Tebas stated, going so far as to urge the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to reconsider its co-hosting role if the current FIFA administration remains in power.
His comments follow earlier claims by Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, who declared that the final would take place in Morocco. FIFA swiftly refuted those statements, clarifying that the venue selection will take place “in due course” and dismissing any claims of a pre-existing agreement with Rabat.
Meanwhile, Laporta inserted himself into the debate, arguing that the selection should not be limited to Casablanca and the Santiago Bernabéu, proposing Camp Nou as a strong third contender upon completion of its renovations.
“Neither Casablanca nor Madrid… the final must be at Camp Nou,” the Barcelona president asserted, before adding mockingly, “Casablanca and Madrid are the same thing to me.”
Laporta pointed to the arena’s projected capacity of approximately 105,000 spectators and highlighted that the Bernabéu previously hosted the 1982 World Cup final, emphasizing that awarding the 2030 showpiece to Barcelona would serve as international recognition for the stadium’s redevelopment project.
While Camp Nou has already secured hosting rights for the 2029 UEFA Champions League final, the race for the World Cup’s flagship fixture remains wide open between Barcelona, Madrid’s Bernabéu, and the Hassan II Stadium—a decision that looks set to be shaped as much by politics and administration as by stadium capacity and infrastructure.
