The Basque Country has proposed an unusual compromise for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Instead of maintaining two separate host bids, the region wants San Mamés and Reale Arena to operate as a single World Cup host venue. The proposal aims to reduce costs, limit the tournament’s impact on local communities and still secure the Basque Country’s place among the hosts of the 2030 World Cup.

Four years of preparations to host the tournament in the Basque Country

Representatives of Basque institutions say they have spent the last four years working on a coordinated strategy to secure the Basque Country’s involvement in the 2030 FIFA World Cup. During that period, authorities analysed FIFA requirements and their potential impact on public finances, infrastructure and local communities.

As early as 2024, Basque officials submitted a document to FIFA outlining several conditions they considered unacceptable. These included high organisational costs, the need for additional stadium and infrastructure investments, changes to local regulations, extensive commercial exclusivity rights for tournament organisers, restrictions on hosting other events in host cities during the competition, and the lack of recognition for the Basque Country’s co-official languages.

In March 2026, FIFA representatives visited both San Mamés and Anoeta. Following those inspections, Basque institutions concluded that many of their earlier concerns had not been addressed. As a result, they launched a detailed review of the consequences of meeting all the requirements needed to maintain two separate host-city candidacies. That process ultimately led to the development of a new proposal designed to reduce costs and limit the tournament’s impact on local residents.

© Rubén García Cuadrado | San Mamés

One host city, two stadiums: San Mamés and Anoeta

Under the new proposal, Bilbao and San Sebastián would operate as a single host venue for the 2030 World Cup. The plan would see both San Mamés and Anoeta host two group-stage matches each, while operating under a shared organisational framework and budget.

According to Basque authorities, this approach would allow the region to remain part of the tournament while avoiding some of the financial commitments and obligations they consider excessive. Officials stress that their primary responsibility is to local residents and that they want to avoid exposing the region to disproportionate costs or restrictions.

The official proposal was submitted to FIFA on May 31, in line with the tournament selection timetable. Basque institutions emphasise that, regardless of FIFA’s final decision, their objective remains the same: balancing the opportunity to host a prestigious global sporting event with the protection of the region’s social and economic interests.

© Real Sociedad SAD | Estadio Municipal de Anoeta