2030 World Cup stadiums: where the list stands (August 2026)

The 2030 stadium list is not settled. The 2024 bid book set out 20 stadiums for the main tournament — 11 in Spain, 3 in Portugal, 6 in Morocco — plus three South American grounds for the centenary matches. Since then, two Spanish cities have thrown in the towel and two more are waiting on FIFA’s verdict.

What has changed since 2024

Málaga (La Rosaleda) — withdrew on 12 July 2025. Reaching the capacity threshold FIFA requires meant a rebuild that Málaga CF judged too risky for the club.

A Coruña (Riazor) — withdrew on 16 March 2026. The redevelopment would have exceeded €100 million, with mobility problems on top. “The city cannot be a host city at any price,” said mayor Inés Rey. Riazor will be modernised, but on a smaller scale.

Valencia (Nou Mestalla) and Vigo (Balaídos) — proposed on 26 March 2026 by the Spanish federation (RFEF) to take the two vacant slots. The Nou Mestalla (70,044 seats) is due to be delivered in July 2027; Balaídos has yet to find funding for an extension to more than 42,000 seats.

What remains uncertain

• Bilbao and San Sebastián merged their bids on 1 June 2026 (two matches per stadium). Bilbao has set conditions for FIFA (free transport for ticket holders, commercial requirements) and must decide before November 2026; San Sebastián, whose Anoeta stadium is being redeveloped, has not ruled out withdrawing.
• The Metropolitano (Madrid) and the RCDE Stadium (Barcelona) were described as “in doubt” by El Desmarque on 2 July 2026 — summer concert revenue for one, capacity and proximity to the Camp Nou for the other. No withdrawal has been announced.
• FIFA’s final sign-off is expected in December 2026 according to StadiumDB, in January 2027 according to El Independiente. FIFA is opening a permanent office in Spain in autumn 2026, from where it will inspect the Nou Mestalla and Balaídos.

The working list as of 30 August 2026

Spain (11): Santiago Bernabéu and Metropolitano (Madrid), Camp Nou and RCDE Stadium (Barcelona), La Cartuja (Seville), San Mamés (Bilbao), Anoeta (San Sebastián), Nueva Romareda (Zaragoza), Gran Canaria (Las Palmas), plus Nou Mestalla (Valencia) and Balaídos (Vigo) awaiting approval.

Portugal (3): Estádio da Luz and José Alvalade (Lisbon), Estádio do Dragão (Porto).

Morocco (6): Grand Stade Hassan II (Benslimane), Prince Moulay Abdellah (Rabat), Grand Stade de Tanger, Grand Stade de Marrakech, Stade de Fès, Stade Adrar (Agadir).

Centenary matches (3): Estadio Centenario (Montevideo), Estadio Monumental (Buenos Aires), Estadio Osvaldo Domínguez Dibb (Asunción).

Beware of out-of-date tables: the English-language Wikipedia page still listed Riazor in late August 2026. Our stadium pages are updated with every announcement.