A FIFA delegation visited Estádio do Dragão on Friday as part of preparations for the 2030 World Cup, to be co-hosted by Portugal, Spain and Morocco. Pedro Dias, Secretary of State for Culture, Youth and Sport, accompanied the inspection.
According to O Jogo, a multidisciplinary team toured all areas of the Porto venue during the latest monitoring phase for the tournament.
Dias said it is important for FIFA to follow the process closely even with four years to go. He stressed the need to ensure all requirements are met and said organisers believe they can deliver the best possible experience for competitors and visitors.
He underlined the World Cup’s sporting and economic impact, noting Portugal’s ambitions as a football power. He added that FIFA has 4,000 staff on the project and said the event will put the country at the centre of global media attention.
FC Porto vice-president João Borges called hosting an extraordinary opportunity for the club, the region and the city. With 2030 marking the centenary of the first World Cup, he said it could strengthen Porto’s international profile, showcase its infrastructure and organisational capacity, and bring significant investment to the city.
Borges said the Dragão has undergone works in recent years, with more than €32 million invested in just over a year to renew infrastructure. He outlined plans to upgrade stadium technology, introduce innovation and improve services for supporters, calling the tournament a starting point to keep the venue serving for over 20 years.
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