The Spotify Camp Nou bid joins the existing struggle to host the tournament's most important match, which is being jointly organized by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal. The proposal by the Catalan capital's mayor was formalized during the Mundo Deportivo Grand Gala, expressing the city's “great ambition” to host major sporting events.
“"Barcelona has always had a great ambition to host major sporting events. I have already conveyed our excitement about being the host city to President Rafael Louzán of the Royal Spanish Football Federation."
Once completed, the new Spotify Camp Nou (scheduled for December 2027) will have a capacity of 105,000 seats, making it the largest stadium in Europe. However, the Santiago Bernabéu bid carries significant weight, reinforced by previous statements from Isabel Díaz Ayuso in 2023 assuring that the final would be held in Madrid. The final decision, however, rests with FIFA.
The dispute also has an international angle. The President of the RFEF, Rafael Louzán, stated that Spain holds the greatest weight in the organization, a claim quickly denied by the spokesperson for the Moroccan Federation, Mohamed Makrouf, emphasizing that the decision will be made in a joint meeting. Morocco is advancing with the construction of the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, scheduled for 2028, which will have a capacity of 115,000 spectators, aiming to be the largest football stadium in the world.
In parallel with the World Cup bid, FC Barcelona has announced its request to host the Champions League final in 2029. This initiative is supported by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Barcelona City Council, with the definitive formalization of the candidacy expected by early June 2026.
