Camp Nou Faces a Reality Check for the 2030 World Cup Final

Camp Nou and the 2030 World Cup Final: A Plan in Progress

Joan Laporta, a candidate for Barcelona's presidency, moved the club's stance away from the ongoing dispute around the stadium that is slated to host the 2030 World Cup final, a match planned to be staged in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

Jaume Collboni, the mayor of Barcelona, had earlier announced filing an official bid to host the 2030 final, underscoring Catalonia's ambition to star in the World Cup four years from now.

Collboni revealed at a Mondodeportivo event that the city's desire to host the final has already been communicated to the Royal Spanish Football Federation, with full awareness that the final decision rests with FIFA.

By contrast, Laporta was more pragmatic than the mayor, contradicting the latter's statements about the bid's moves to host the event.

During a campaign stop covered by Mondodeportivo, Laporta said: "Regarding the 2030 World Cup final, it would be great if it were held at Camp Nou, but there's a lot of work to be done first."

The former Barca president added: "We need to adjust the general urban plan, and we have asked the city council for that. But it's not just about finishing the stadium; FIFA requires changes to the surrounding area, and everything must be prepared, including the campus and the outer square."

Finally, Laporta commented on the idea of covering Camp Nou: "The issue is to negotiate with La Liga to start matches on our turf later, between June and September; the idea is to stay with the club and not return to Montjuïc."

Punchline 1: If Camp Nou gets the nod, the only thing louder than the cheers might be the city planning notes — talk about a high-stakes defense.

Punchline 2: In football and bureaucracy, the ball keeps moving; the permit, apparently, is forever in offside position.