According to the Spanish newspaper "AS", the message landed during a FIFA delegation's visit to the Santiago Bernabeu, part of a tour to assess the cities and stadiums bidding to host matches at the 2030 World Cup, which Spain, Portugal and Morocco will stage jointly. The final decision on the distribution of matches and the venue of the final won't be settled before 2027. Even so, Real Madrid wanted to put their cards on the table early, stressing that owning the stadium alone isn't enough, and that organisational experience is the decisive factor.
Representatives of the royal club did more than show off the immense capabilities the Bernabeu possesses. They delivered a clear message about Madrid's entitlement to host the most important match of the tournament. One official, with experience spanning nearly two decades in organising matches and events inside the stadium, stressed that superiority is not measured by the beauty of the facilities alone, but by the ability to manage major events efficiently and smoothly.
Speaking before the FIFA delegation, the official said: "You can build a golden stadium, but you have to know how to manage events. You need a team that makes everything run smoothly, and we are the best." Those words summed up Real Madrid's position, built on a long record of staging major matches and global events, the most recent being an American football league fixture last week.
FIFA's envoys did not leave the Spanish capital without grasping the confidence with which Real Madrid are approaching the bid to host the final. The club believe their organisational experience, along with the Bernabeu's exceptional capabilities after its redevelopment, hands them a clear advantage over their rivals. Florentino Perez had already conveyed exactly that to Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, during earlier meetings.
The Spanish federation holds firm on the final
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Real Madrid were not the only party to exploit the FIFA delegation's visit. The Spanish Football Federation moved directly too, led by its president Rafael Louzan, who was keen to deliver his country's message on the distribution of the tournament's matches, with particular focus on the final scheduled for 21 July 2030.
Over a dinner with FIFA officials, Louzan set out the federation's position clearly, affirming that holding the final on Spanish soil is the option his country is holding firm to. He was equally decisive in defending Spain's entitlement, arguing that hosting the closing match should be a natural extension of its role in organising the tournament, especially as it will stage the largest number of matches.
Fierce as the competition is, matters never reached the point of hinting at Spain's withdrawal from the organisation, according to "Marca", and that scenario does not appear to be seriously on the table within the circles handling the file. The political and sporting messages, however, have sharpened, with the Spaniards aware that Morocco represents a genuine rival for the final, not merely a partner in the organisation.
Sanchez enters the fray
On the political front, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez waded into the row, defending the joint bid and insisting Spain will keep the largest share of the 2030 World Cup matches. Sanchez recalled the moment the Spanish national team were crowned world champions at the tournament held in the United States, describing the scene of his country receiving the cup from American President Donald Trump as "a real political euphoria".
Spain and Portugal started the idea of hosting the tournament, Sanchez explained, before Morocco joined the project. Europe had been waiting to host, he said, and Morocco's addition came as part of strengthening cooperation between the three countries. He stressed his country will stage the largest number of matches, an attempt to reassure the Spanish public amid rising fears that the final could move to Moroccan soil.
The prime minister did not hide his ambition for the Spanish national team to be crowned champions on home soil in 2030, invoking his country's previous triumphs, before concluding: "We won in South Africa, and we won in New York, and now it is our turn to win in Spain in 2030, isn't it?" Between Real Madrid's messages, the federation's moves and Sanchez's statements, Madrid have clearly begun their battle for the final. The last word, though, stays with FIFA.
