Toronto is completing its World Cup preparations, with its main stadium undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. The venue is set to meet global expectations and new standards. How has it changed ahead of the 2026 tournament?

Withdrawals of Málaga and A Coruña change the lineup of World Cup 2030 stadiums

Until recently, the list of Spanish stadiums was closed and included eleven venues. However, the withdrawal of two cities has completely changed the situation. Málaga withdrew mainly due to the rising costs of renovating La Rosaleda, while A Coruña encountered organizational and administrative difficulties in the redevelopment of Riazor.

These decisions created space for new candidates. Valencia and Vigo, which had expressed readiness to host matches from the beginning, immediately returned to the race.

© Alecaom | The RFEF has submitted a request to FIFA to include Nou Mestalla and Balaídos among the 2030 World Cup stadiums.

Nou Mestalla in Valencia and Balaídos in Vigo enter the race

The key element of Valencia’s bid is Nou Mestalla, whose construction has for years remained one of the most complex infrastructure projects in Spanish football. The stadium is intended to be a modern, high-capacity venue meeting the highest FIFA standards. However, the condition is clear – the stadium must be completed on time. If construction is finished according to schedule, Valencia has an almost certain place among the World Cup hosts. As early as 2024, a detailed Bid Book was presented to FIFA, further strengthening the city’s position.

The second candidate is Estadio de Balaídos, which is undergoing gradual modernization. The project involves adapting infrastructure to meet the requirements of international tournaments, as well as improving fan comfort and technical facilities. Vigo aims to become a bi-World Cup city – after hosting matches in the past, it wants to return to the World Cup map. The modernization of Balaídos is not only of sporting importance but also urban, influencing the development of the entire city and its infrastructure.

The president of the Spanish federation (Real Federación Española de Fútbol, RFEF), Rafael Louzán, has already publicly declared support for the candidacies of Nou Mestalla and Balaídos several times, and now the initiative is entering the formal stage – an official application along with detailed documentation of both projects will be submitted to FIFA.

© Miguel Ciołczyk Garcia | Valencia and Vigo returned to contention after Málaga and A Coruña withdrew from hosting matches.

List of World Cup 2030 stadiums in Spain and competition between projects

Currently, the group of approved or considered stadiums includes, among others, Camp Nou, Santiago Bernabéu, San Mamés, and Metropolitano. These are venues with an established position that already meet most FIFA requirements. Including Valencia and Vigo would not only replace the withdrawn cities but also increase the geographical diversity of the tournament. This is an important element of FIFA’s strategy, which aims to distribute matches evenly and maximize engagement across different regions.

The final decision belongs to FIFA, which in the coming months will still focus on preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Only in the autumn will the 2030 tournament return to the forefront, and the organization plans to open a permanent office in Madrid to coordinate preparations. Key decisions regarding the stadiums are expected to be made between November and December. It will then become clear whether Nou Mestalla and Balaídos will officially join the group of World Cup venues.