Gran Canaria has been selected as one of the eleven host venues for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Spain, Morocco, and Portugal. The bid submitted by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria has successfully passed all FIFA requirements.
According to Marca, the island is one of the eleven venues proposed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to be included among the twenty locations that will host the world's most prestigious football event.
Following a meeting of the organising committee, which includes representatives from the National Sports Council (CSD) and the RFEF, sources from the Cabildo expressed their optimism about receiving final approval from the World Cup organisers.
The official confirmation will come after FIFA conducts its own verification of the proposed projects. An extraordinary FIFA congress, scheduled for December this year, will ratify the executive committee's proposal, ensuring that the Iberian-North African bid is chosen. Unlike previous bids, there are no competing countries this time, as Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup.
Gran Canaria's bid to become a World Cup host site was championed by former Cabildo councillors Lucas Bravo de Laguna and Cristian Cerpa of Unidos por Gran Canaria. They spearheaded the Cabildo’s efforts to lead the initiative. The corporation, led by Antonio Morales (NC) and currently directed in sports by Aridany Romero (PSOE), has persistently worked to secure the Canary Islands' spot among the tournament's venues.
Under Morales' leadership, they have ensured the necessary economic investment to extensively renovate the Gran Canaria Stadium in Las Palmas. This includes advancing infrastructure projects to meet FIFA’s stringent requirements and deadlines for hosting a premier event like the World Cup.
In Spain, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will join other host cities, including Madrid (Santiago Bernabéu and Metropolitano), Barcelona (Nou Camp), Cornellà-El Prat (Stage Front Stadium), Bilbao (San Mamés), San Sebastián (Reale Arena), Sevilla (La Cartuja), Zaragoza (La Romareda), Málaga (La Rosaleda), and A Coruña (Riazor).
Gran Canaria's inclusion as a World Cup host city is a monumental achievement, reflecting the island's commitment and readiness to welcome the world to one of football’s greatest spectacles.
