Barcelona’s sports adviser, David Escude, has raised concerns about Santiago Bernabeu’s suitability for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup final.
It must be noted that Real Madrid’s stadium has been positioned as the favourite venue, but Escude questioned whether it meets FIFA’s requirements.
In contrast, he quickly highlighted that the new Spotify Camp Nou in Barcelona is more likely to comply with the necessary standards for such a prestigious event.
The final venue for the 2030 World Cup final is yet to be decided, and with the tournament being spread across Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, competition is fierce.
Escude’s suggestions
Escude has taken a bold stance by suggesting that, at present, the Santiago Bernabéu does not meet FIFA’s criteria for hosting the final.
According to him, the new Spotify Camp Nou, currently under construction, as well as a new stadium being built in Casablanca, Morocco, are much better positioned to meet FIFA’s standards.
“At the moment Madrid is no match for Barcelona to host the World Cup final since today.“
He stressed that, based on the available data, Madrid’s Bernabeu is not a direct rival to Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou in this bid. In his view, the only real competition for Barcelona might come from the new stadium being developed in Casablanca.
“With the objective data in hand, the Bernabeu does not meet FIFA’s requirements, as does the new Spotify Camp Nou that is being built and the new stadium in Casablanca,” he said in an interview with Catalunya Radio.
No problem in playing at Spotify Camp Nou
Escude also expressed confidence that Spain’s current government would have no objections to the World Cup final being held in Barcelona.
“With the current government there would be no problem, things are changing,” he pressed.
He pointed out that things have evolved politically, and that hosting major events in Barcelona is nothing new, referencing the city’s successful hosting of the 1992 Olympic Games.
“Nothing happened in 1992 when Barcelona hosted the Olympic Games.”
Escude emphasised that politics and sport should remain separate, reinforcing the belief that Barcelona is a serious contender for the 2030 FIFA World Cup final, especially with its state-of-the-art facilities in the new Spotify Camp Nou.
