FC Barcelona Set To Receive Part Of $1.5 Billion For 2030 World Cup

FC Barcelona are set to receive a share of a $1.5 billion windfall which the Spanish government will allocate to those that host games in the 2030 World Cup.

On Wednesday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced the global football governing body’s council had “agreed unanimously that the only bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2030 will be the joint bid of Morocco, Portugal and Spain”.

“Two continents – Africa and Europe – united not only in a celebration of football but also in providing unique social and cultural cohesion. What a great message of peace, tolerance and inclusion,” Infantino added.

According to SPORT, there are 15 stadiums currently being studied to become hosts of the games that are held in Spain.

They are namely Balaidos, El Molinon, Riazor, San Mames, Anoeta, La Romareda, Cornella-El Prat, Santiago Bernabeu, Metropolitano, Nuevo Mestalla, Nueva Condomina, La Cartuja, La Rosaleda, Gran Canaria and of course Barca’s Camp Nou.

Currently undergoing a huge renovation job, Camp Nou is certain to hold matches in what will be Spain’s first World Cup since 1982.

By 2026, construction works on the Blaugrana’s iconic home should have been completed to make it one of the most modern stadiums in the sport capable of holding close to 100,000 spectators.

Though you would think that the 2030 tournament’s final will be held in the Spanish capital Madrid – possibly at the Bernabeu – or La Cartuja in Sevilla where the national team often plays, Camp Nou could receive important games such as a semi-final or other fixtures in the knockout stages in addition to the group phase.

Most importantly from a financial perspective, the Spanish government intends to distribute at least €1.430 billion ($1.5 billion) made up of €750 million ($788 million) on infrastructure and €680 million ($714 million) on organizational expenses.

The La Liga clubs that hand over their grounds for the tournament will receive cash to make sure their facilities are in perfect condition, and there is also the percentage of ticket revenue and other matchday profit that will be coming Barca’s way when Camp Nou is used.

Such developments will be welcomed by president Joan Laporta and his board, who are currently overseeing an outfit that it is in debt and has had to pull a series of ‘economic levers’ in recent times to buy players and register fresh contracts.

By 2030, Barca should be in much better financial shape and perhaps capable of making the marquee signings of yesteryear that have eluded them since the turn of the decade.