FIFA completes Portugal stadium tour for 2030 World Cup with Dragão visit

FIFA completes three-stadium tour

The FIFA multidisciplinary team sent to Portugal to follow preparations for the 2030 World Cup finished its work on Friday, 6 November, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) said. The programme covered the three Portuguese stadiums in the project, those of Benfica, FC Porto and Sporting. The team first toured the José Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on Monday, 2 November, and visited the Estádio da Luz the following day, Tuesday, 3 November. The Estádio do Dragão in Porto closed the programme on Friday, 6 November. Beyond the stadiums, the delegation toured hotels and facilities identified as potential training centres, among them the Estádio Dr. Jorge Sampaio, the Jorge Costa training centre and the Estádio de São Miguel.

Club and city present upgrades

At the Dragão, FC Porto vice-president João Borges presented the complex's current condition, the improvements made since FIFA's last visit and the works planned ahead. He said the club had invested more than 32 million euros in the stadium over the past year and expects the venue to serve well beyond 2030. Borges described the tournament as an opportunity for the club to strengthen its international profile, and for the city to benefit from tourism and the economic activity around the event.

“The 2030 World Cup is not an end, but a starting point for the Dragão to serve its fans and visitors for 20 more years.”

Porto city councillor Rodrigo Passos, who holds the sport portfolio, presented the city's strategic advantages and its experience hosting large sporting and cultural events. He said the stadium draws about 40,000 people every two weeks, and that projects are under way to strengthen public transport and improve access to the venue. Passos framed the tournament as a chance for the city to take a step forward through sport.

Government and FIFA assessments

Secretary of State Pedro Dias accompanied the visit, which passed through every area of the stadium. He said the World Cup carries a large sporting impact along with economic effects, and that FIFA has 4,000 people working on the project. Dias noted the tournament is still four years away, a short time for an event of this size.

“This event will put our country at the centre of media attention.”

Heimo Schirgi, FIFA's Chief Event Operations Officer, gave the Dragão a positive assessment, describing it as fully functional while noting that some infrastructure and World Cup-specific operational elements would need to be added. He said that working with a club that has operated at the highest level, including Champions League finals, is very valuable to FIFA.

“For us, it is priceless.”