The 2030 World Cup final points towards the Bernabéu
The excellent relationship between Infantino and Florentino is the starting point of that desire-need.
As the football world looks ahead to the summer of 2026 and the final at MetLife Stadium, doubts still linger over the 2030 World Cup. One key uncertainty, however, has been resolved: the venue for the final on 21 July. The chosen, or rather desired, stadium is the Santiago Bernabéu. The strong relationship between Gianni Infantino and Florentino Pérez underpins this preference, or even necessity, pointing towards Madrid hosting its second World Cup final, forty-eight years after the 1982 showpiece.
FIFA will not fully commit to the final tournament format for the World Cup jointly organised by Spain, Morocco and Portugal until after the summer. The definitive list of host cities will be announced in the closing months of 2026. It already seems likely that some of the 20 cities initially presented will be dropped. That number has fallen to 19 following Málaga’s withdrawal, and FIFA’s stated intention has always been to keep the total below 18.
Morocco was the last of the three countries to formally enter the race, yet it has become the most active at every level and the biggest investor in shaping and developing host venues, both stadiums and cities. The FIFA-backed office opened in Rabat is the clearest example of this commitment.
The path to the final will be marked by several symbolic and strategically important moments: the draw, the opening match, and the operational and communications hub for the tournament. These decisions will help define the identity of the World Cup across the three host nations. The final carries even greater weight, and FIFA recognises Spain as the cornerstone of the project, given its initial leadership, the number of venues it will provide, and its standing within global football.
Internal turmoil at the Spanish Federation before Rafael Louzán’s arrival, particularly during Luis Rubiales’ presidency, has done little to ease concerns, despite Rubiales being one of the project’s original promoters. Even so, the institutional weight of the Federation and Spain’s historical contribution to the game continue to carry significant influence, making it increasingly likely that the final will be steered in that direction.
Real Madrid and FIFA, or more precisely Florentino Pérez and Gianni Infantino, remain closely aligned. Previous regulatory issues surrounding the three-month ‘loan’ of the stadium required under World Cup rules have been softened, as they will be for other venues.
The symbolism of the Bernabéu, already compelling enough to attract the NFL and secure its return, further strengthens its case. Its modernisation and proven ability to host major events have also been taken into account. The Metropolitano is another stadium capable of handling any occasion, as it has repeatedly shown, although Atlético Madrid’s willingness to remain in the race has yet to be fully confirmed.
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FIFA has welcomed the return of Camp Nou, but uncertainty still surrounds the Barcelona stadium, despite Joan Laporta’s public desire to host the final. In Portugal, Benfica’s stadium has already proven its capacity to stage major finals, yet it does not appear to be a serious contender. By contrast, the stadium currently under construction in Casablanca is expected to play a prominent role in the 2030 tournament.
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