2030 World Cup stadium faces fresh scrutiny after “unimaginable chaos” during recent cup final

A major World Cup venue is facing fresh questions after a troubled showpiece event, and it has now raised concerns about whether it’s truly ready for the global stage.

Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja raises 2030 World Cup concerns

The Estadio La Cartuja has come under fire following the 2026 Copa del Rey Final, with Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid fans both describing the organisation as “disastrous” and “unimaginable chaos”.

While the stadium itself avoided criticism, major issues arose outside the ground, including severe congestion, long walking distances, lack of shade, and limited access to water.

Transport also proved problematic, with shuttle services not operating as expected, leading to further delays and frustration for supporters attending the final.

The backlash has reportedly caught the attention of FIFA, who have already flagged concerns around access and infrastructure during inspections of Spain’s proposed 2030 World Cup venues.

Local authorities have played down the situation, describing it as a “one-off”, but have acknowledged that improvements to access routes and transport are already being planned.

The Estadio La Cartuja is the fourth-largest stadium in Spain and hasn't often been used for regular football matches. It is currently being utilised by Real Betis during the renovation of their usual home, the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

FGG says: A warning sign that can’t be ignored

This feels more like a reality check than a complete disaster.

The issues highlighted weren’t about the stadium itself, but more so everything around it, and that’s often what defines the fan experience at major tournaments.

With the World Cup bringing far bigger crowds and global scrutiny, problems like transport, crowd flow, and accessibility simply have to be right.

The good news for organisers is that these are fixable issues. But if improvements aren’t made quickly, then Seville’s place as a host city for 2030 could genuinely come into question.