The 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico is over – and the football world's attention is already turning to the next major event: the 2030 World Cup. The tournament celebrates the 100th anniversary of the World Cup with a special format. The main hosts are Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Three matches for the 100th birthday will also be held in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. The final is scheduled for July 21, 2030. However, where it will be held remains open.
The candidates are largely determined: In Spain, the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid and the Spotify Camp Nou in Barcelona are considered the main potential final stadiums. Morocco is bringing a spectacular new build with the planned Grand Stade Hassan II near Casablanca into contention. These exact three stadiums were listed in the official World Cup bid as candidates for both the opening match and the final. There has been no FIFA decision yet.
Santiago Bernabéu: Spain's most prominent candidate
The Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, home to Real Madrid, has undergone comprehensive modernization in recent years. The stadium features, among other things, a retractable roof and a movable pitch. The stated capacity is around 83,000 seats, although different figures are cited depending on the source and event.
The Bernabéu is currently considered one of the most promising candidates for the final. Over the course of 2026, however, there were conflicting reports about its favorite status: In May, Madrid was still being referred to as the clear favorite in Spanish media, but in summer, reports of a possible award to Morocco caused a stir. FIFA subsequently clarified that it has not yet awarded the final. In August, Spanish broadcaster RNE reported that the Bernabéu had gained ground in internal discussions. There is no official confirmation of this.
Spotify Camp Nou: Barcelona remains in contention
Also listed in the official bid dossier is the Spotify Camp Nou in Barcelona. The stadium is being completely rebuilt as part of the Espai Barça project and is expected to hold just under 105,000 spectators upon completion. The new stadium will also feature a roof that spans all seating areas.
The return to the stadium is progressing gradually: In March 2026, the available capacity was increased to 62,652 spectators following further approval. This also means that the stadium has not yet reached its final expansion stage.
The Camp Nou is therefore a serious finalist candidate, but is currently less clearly positioned than the Bernabéu. Barcelona's case is strengthened by, among other things, the size of the stadium: Upon completion, it would be significantly larger than the Bernabéu. Additionally, the Camp Nou has even been selected as the venue for the 2029 Champions League final.
Grand Stade Hassan II: Morocco's spectacular alternative
Morocco's entry is arguably the most ambitious candidate: the Grand Stade Hassan II in the Benslimane province near Casablanca. Designed by Populous together with Oualalou + Choi, the stadium is expected to hold 115,000 spectators and would rank among the world's largest football stadiums.
The project is actually under construction. According to a Moroccan infrastructure official, around 30 percent of the project was completed as of May 2026; completion was targeted for the end of 2027 at that time. The stadium is expected to be ready in time for the 2030 World Cup.
Morocco's official project also explicitly envisages the stadium as a possible venue for the World Cup final. In FIFA documents regarding the joint bid by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, the Grand Stade Hassan II is listed alongside Bernabéu and Camp Nou as one of three final candidates.
Morocco is meanwhile making no secret of its claim politically and sportically. Association president Fouzi Lekjaa even publicly declared in September 2026 that the final would take place in Benslimane. However, this is not an official award: FIFA has still made no decision.
And Portugal?
Portugal is the third co-host of the 2030 World Cup and is providing three stadiums for the tournament. These include the Estádio da Luz and the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon as well as the Estádio do Dragão in Porto. The Estádio da Luz with around 68,000 seats is Portugal's largest planned World Cup stadium.
Portugal is currently hardly considered a serious finalist candidate. Rather, the official bid envisages the final in one of the three stadiums: Bernabéu, Camp Nou or Grand Stade Hassan II.
You can find a complete overview of all expected match venues on our page about the 2030 World Cup stadiums.
Who decides on the final – and when?
The decisive authority is FIFA. It has not yet awarded the World Cup final. The final decision on the tournament's venues is still pending. There is currently no officially communicated deadline for announcing the final stadium.
This also calls for caution with reports that already name a certain final venue. In August 2026, FIFA expressly denied reports that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had promised Morocco the final. The statement by Moroccan association president Lekjaa in September changed nothing about this.
The current situation can therefore best be summarized as follows:
- Santiago Bernabéu: very promising candidate and according to several reports currently the favorite again.
- Grand Stade Hassan II: strongest challenger, with by far the largest planned capacity and a clear Moroccan claim to the final.
- Spotify Camp Nou: official finalist and still in contention, but currently less prominent than Bernabéu and Hassan II.
- Estádio da Luz: World Cup stadium, but currently not an equal finalist favorite.
Whether the anniversary final ultimately takes place in Madrid, Barcelona or for the first time in Africa – in Benslimane near Casablanca – FIFA will decide. Especially since the tournament celebrates the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, the decision has considerable symbolic significance alongside sporting and infrastructural aspects.
Meanwhile, sporting preparations are already underway: The 2030 World Cup qualification is picking up pace, and current power dynamics can be seen in the FIFA World Rankings. You can also find an overview of all tournament information on our 2030 World Cup page.
One thing is certain: no matter where the final whistle ultimately blows – the 2030 World Cup will be a historic tournament.