Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona, has boldly claimed that the prestigious 2030 FIFA World Cup final should be hosted at the iconic Spotify Camp Nou. Following the successful bid to hold the 2029 UEFA Champions League final at the same venue, Laporta is advocating for his vision of another significant international event to take place at this renowned stadium. During a recent interview with SER Catalunya and Catalunya Ràdio, Laporta expressed his conviction that the final should not be in Casablanca or Madrid, stating, "Casablanca and Madrid are the same thing; it should be at Spotify Camp Nou." This statement reflects his ambition for Barcelona to gain further international recognition through hosting high-profile matches.
As the stadium undergoes extensive renovations, it is expected to have a seating capacity of 105,000 by the time the World Cup rolls around. Laporta emphasized the importance of bringing the final to Barcelona, especially considering that the last World Cup final held in Spain was in 1982 at Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. He believes that hosting the 2030 final would not only symbolize a significant achievement for the club but also elevate Barcelona's status on the global football stage.
In addition to discussing the World Cup, Laporta addressed the recent controversy regarding player displays of support for Ceuta during a match against Real Madrid. He defended the club's stance on freedom of expression, asserting that players should have the liberty to express their views. Furthermore, he criticized what he termed excessive police force in Elche, where pro-Catalan independence flags were removed from supporters, reiterating that such actions should not become normalized.
As reported by en.as.com.
