RFEF President Asserts Spain Must Host 2030 World Cup Final

Royal Spanish Football Federation President Rafael Louzán asserted on November 14, 2026, that hosting the 2030 World Cup final in Spain is non-negotiable. The statement comes as Spain, Portugal, and Morocco prepare to co-organize the tournament. While the final venue will not be decided until 2028, the location of the championship match remains a point of contention between the co-organizing nations.

Tournament organization and host cities

The 2030 World Cup structure involves a joint bid between Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. To celebrate the tournament's centennial, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay will host at least three matches during the first phase of the competition. Currently, a pre-selection scenario includes 20 host cities, although the final number of locations has not been confirmed by officials.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation is currently working with a delegation of FIFA technical officials to conduct stadium visits. In the coming weeks, Vigo and Valencia are expected to be added to the list of host cities. For the championship match, Spanish officials are considering the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid as a potential venue.

Dispute over the final venue

The location of the final has become a subject of debate between the participating nations. While Rafael Louzán maintained that the 2030 World Cup belongs to the European continent, Fouzi Lekjaa, the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, stated that the final will be held in Morocco regardless of the opinions of other parties. Morocco has proposed the construction of a new stadium in Benslimane, located in the Casablanca region, which would have a capacity of approximately 115,000 spectators.

Spanish political leaders have also weighed in on the hosting arrangements. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the Spanish People's Party, stated that Spain should withdraw from organizing the tournament if the country does not host the final match.

Regulatory and disciplinary matters

Beyond the logistical planning for the tournament, the Royal Spanish Football Federation is managing ongoing disciplinary issues. According to Infobae, the federation is addressing a delay in a potential sanction for the Andorran goalkeeper Owono. This delay follows the death of Jesús de Miguel, a player for Tenerife.

Glossary

• World Cup — The World Cup is a football tournament organized by FIFA. It features various groups of competing nations, such as Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.
• Valencia — Valencia is a city expected to be added to the list of host cities for the tournament.
• Madrid — Madrid is a location being considered as a potential venue for the championship match, specifically the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
• Royal Spanish Football Federation — The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is an organization that held a meeting with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and representatives from UEFA and CONMEBOL. It is involved in scheduling matches and managing disciplinary issues.
• Santiago Bernabéu stadium — The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a potential venue for the championship match. It opened in 1947 and served as Madrid's home stadium.