Proposed World Cup 2030 stadium suffers severe delay as fan fury grows

Construction of Nueva Romareda, one of the proposed World Cup 2030 stadiums, has suffered severe delays.

Subsequent statements made by the president of the Aragonese Football Federation have only further fuelled the discontent of Real Zaragoza fans.

Stadium faces major delays

Work on the Nueva Romareda appeared to be progressing very favourably, with the demolition of the former stadium even completed 10 weeks earlier than initially planned just over a year ago.

The decision was subsequently made to appoint contractors OHLA, Altuna y Uria and OHLA Servicios Ingesan to deliver the new stadium, especially after their commitment to complete the project in June 2027, 13 weeks ahead of the original deadline.

However, it is now clear that this deadline will now be missed, with Zaragoza mayor Natalia Chueca confirming that “It won't be ready by October 2027; all I know is that it will be ready next season, in 2027/28.”

Analysis of the progress of works since it begun has shown that installation of the slats, which corresponded to week 69 of the planned construction works, is already 18 weeks behind schedule, with no work having yet started and no sign of any start date.

Despite the considerable delay, which may mean Real Zaragoza are forced to extend their costly stay at the “Mini Romareda” stadium – which costs €135,000 per month to rent, Chueca noted that the aim is to still have the stadium built in time for the 2030 World Cup, with the latest date for completion set in 2029.

Real Zaragoza fans are already discontent at the extent of the delays, as well as with their club suffering relegation to the Primera Federacion, but there fury has only been increased after recent comments by the president of the Aragonese Football Federation.

Manuel Torralba expressed his wish for Spain's national team to be the first to play at the proposed 2030 World Cup venue, saying: “I think it would be fantastic news if we could announce a national team match as the inaugural fixture at the Nuevo Romareda. We will work towards that, make no mistake.”

President of the “Los Blanquillos” supporters' club, Jose Manuel Fabregas, responded that Torralba's remarks were not well received by Real Zaragoza fans, explaining: “there is a great deal of discontent among the supporters' clubs, because they say Real Zaragoza must inaugurate the stadium. This is what we believe too.

“This is purely a matter of sentiment. How can there even be the slightest possibility that someone other than Real Zaragoza could inaugurate the Nueva Romareda?”

Fabregas finished by saying: “The World Cup will come later, and the national team can come whenever it wants, but Real Zaragoza must play the inaugural match, whether they are in Primera Federacion or the Seguna Division.”

FGG Says: Frustrating for Real Zaragoza supporters

Not only have Real Zaragoza supporters had to endure relegation and the continued delays of their new stadium's construction, but the comments from Torralba are even more frustrating.

The stadium is being constructed to become Real Zaragoza's new home, and it should certainly be the club who play at the new ground for the first time after its long-awaited completion.