FIFA Inspects Spanish and Portuguese Venues for 2030 World Cup

A technical delegation from FIFA has begun a comprehensive inspection of candidate venues in Spain and Portugal ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The inspections, which commenced this week, will evaluate infrastructure, construction progress, logistics, and legal and fiscal frameworks before final host venues are selected in December 2026.

Camp Nou Under Scrutiny

Spotify Camp Nou in Barcelona is a central focus of the inspections. FIFA will assess the ongoing renovations, aiming to craft it Europe’s largest football venue and a leading contender to host the tournament final [Barca Universal]. The visit is scheduled for March 9th.

The stadium is expected to reach a full capacity of 105,000 spectators. Currently, the third tier of seating is progressing, and facade panels are being installed. A Phase 1C occupancy license is anticipated, which will reopen the Gol Nord section and bring the stadium to 62,000 spectators [Barca Universal].

While the installation of the roof remains a significant undertaking, the revamped Camp Nou is considered a strong contender for hosting the World Cup final, competing primarily with the Santiago Bernabéu [Barca Universal].

Other Venues Being Evaluated

Beyond Camp Nou, FIFA will also inspect other major venues including the Santiago Bernabéu, the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, La Romareda, Estadio de Gran Canaria, Estadio de La Cartuja, Riazor Stadium, San Mames, and Anoeta. The RCDE Stadium in Barcelona will also be evaluated as a potential secondary venue [Barca Universal].

Final Venue Selection

The final list of venues will be confirmed in December 2026. The inspections are a crucial step in determining which stadiums will host matches during the centenary World Cup.