Overview
- Basque regional and provincial institutions formally asked FIFA to treat Donostia (Anoeta) and Bilbao (San Mamés) as a single joint host that would divide a small number of group-stage matches between the two cities.
- The proposal reduces Bilbao’s expected allocation from earlier projections and has drawn immediate criticism from hotels, bars, restaurants and retailers in Bilbao who say the cutback will harm local tourism and sales.
- Neither FIFA nor the Spanish federation (RFEF) has publicly accepted or rejected the change, and FIFA delegate inspections are scheduled for after the summer with a definitive venue selection expected by the end of 2026.
- RFEF sources and regional coverage say other Spanish cities, notably Vigo and Valencia, are prepared to be included if the Basque plan is rejected, making the region’s bid less secure in national competition.
- Local officials frame the move as a cost-saving effort to limit stadium and infrastructure spending, but critics say it weakens the Basque bid and raises questions about how much public investment is justified to host World Cup matches.