The world cup is the biggest tournament in the sporting world. Football’s greatest players come together in a celebration of culture and football, showcasing what they can do on the world stage. Some of Europe’s greatest stadia have been the focal point of these celebrations, here are seven of the most iconic.
Camp Nou
Home to FC Barcelona, the Camp Nou is one of the most well-known stadiums in the world. Based in the heart of beautiful Barcelona, over 99,000 football obsessed fans pack into the ground every other week to watch its famous custodians play.
The hallowed turf has seen the best the world has to offer play on it. Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Andres Iniesta, to name just a few have made names for themselves under the flood lights of the Camp Nou.
This ground’s most memorable World Cup moments came in 1982. Spain was selected as the host nation that year, meaning the Camp Nou staged a total of five games, including Belgium’s famous 1-0 win against Diego Maradona’s Argentina and the semi-final between Poland and Italy. Also, the Opening Ceremony of the World Cup took place in Barca’s stadium!
Santiago Bernebau
Widely regarded as the home of European football, the Santiago Bernebau stadium has a history like none other. Thirteen Champions League trophies, 35 La Liga titles and 8 Ballon d’Ors are all on display in its museum, thanks to the mighty Real Madrid.
Much like their bitter rivals, Barcelona, Real Madrid have had some of the world’s best players represent them. Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul and the legendary Alfredo di Stefano have played in front of over 80,000 adoring fans, winning everything.
There was only ever one option to host the 1982 World Cup final, it had to be the Santiago Bernebau. Italy overcame West Germany to lift the trophy, beating them 3-1 to win their third World Cup, thanks to the late, great Paolo Rossi leading his country.
If you go to Madrid on a football trip, make sure to visit the ‘Jardines del Mundial’ (Gardens of the World Cup) in front of Santiago Bernabeu, a small garden featuring one tree from each of the nations that participated in the 1982 World Cup.
Old Trafford
There aren’t many clubs bigger than Manchester United, and there aren’t many stadiums as iconic as Old Trafford. The red half on Manchester became the most successful club in English history under Sir Alex Ferguson, becoming the first team to win 20 league titles.
Also known as the ‘Theatre of dreams’, Old Trafford has become synonymous with English football. The class of ’92 paved the way for future successes, enabling the club to bring in stars like Cristiano Ronaldo. Success breeds success.
1966 is the only World Cup that England has hosted, and the English won’t shut up about it! Old Trafford hosted three group stage games, most notably seeing Eusebio’s Portugal side defeat Hungary 3-1.
Parc des Princes
This World Cup is the culmination of everything the Qatari state have done in football. Purchasing Paris Saint Germain was just the first step in their master plan to host the 2022 tournament.
Heavy investment on and off the pitch has made Paris Saint Germain France’s premier club, helping them win Ligue 1 eight times since the takeover. Not only have they become a super club, but they’ve also attracted the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to the French capital.
Before Qatar, the Parc des Princes was host to six games during the 1998 World Cup selling out it’s 45,000 capacity each game, including the surprising Croatian side who beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the match for the third place. France would go on to win that year, beating Brazil 3-0 in the final with Zinedine Zidane scoring twice.
Allianz Arena
What is quite possibly the coolest stadium on this list, the Allianz Arena is home to the ever-present, all conquering Bayern Munich. By far Germany’s most successful club, FC Hollywood will forever be at the very top of the European game.
Construction of the stadium finished just one year before the 2006 World Cup but there was never any doubt that it would have a big part to play. The new 66,000-seater stadium welcomed the world, hosting six games including the opening match that saw Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 and the semi-final between Portugal and France.
Zidane’s 33rd minute penalty was enough to see the French national team into the final. The star-studded affair was a precursor for one of the most explosive finals in history. The final was Zidane’s last game, getting sent off for the infamous headbutt against Marco Materazzi.
Westfalenstadion
From one of the coolest stadiums in the world to one of the most intimidating. The Westfalenstadion is home to Germany’s second club, Borussia Dortmund. Famous, or infamous for its atmosphere, it’s no surprise that this ground has been selected for World Cup games.
When Dortmund play at the Westfalenstadoin, the ‘yellow wall’ does everything it can to help the players win. With the largest free-standing stand in all of Europe, the atmosphere is a must experience for any football fan.
When West Germany was selected to hold the 1974 World Cup, the Westfalenstadion was selected as one of the main stadiums. Johan Cruyff and his amazing Dutch side beat Brazil in the group stage 2-0 here.
It also saw Germany get knocked out by eventual winners Italy in 2006, breaking the hearts of local supporters in a spectacular semi-final that was only decided in extra time.
San Siro
Not only is the San Siro home to two massive clubs in AC and Inter Milan, but it has also hosted games in two world cups. In the heart of Milan, the San Siro is due to be knocked down and rebuilt by 2026. Make sure you visit while you still can!
Italy hosted the second ever World Cup in 1934, with over 80,000 fans packed into the old version of the Milanese ground to see the hosts beat Austria to head into the final, eventually beating Czechoslovakia to lift the trophy.
When people talk about the best World Cups, Italia 90 is always mentioned and it’s no surprise as to why. The tournament had everything, and San Siro was at the epicenter of it all.
The San Siro hosted six games in total, including the opening match between Argentina and Cameroon which saw the African side triumph by 1-0, and the quarter-final between West Germany and Czechoslovakia, with the West Germans winning and going on to win the whole thing.
The World Cup in 2022 may be on the other side of the world but that doesn’t mean you have to travel far to experience the tournament’s history. Each of these grounds has seen incredible moments from the biggest event in sports.
The World Cup in 2022 may be on the other side of the world but that doesn’t mean to have to travel far to experience the tournament’s history. Each of these grounds has seen incredible moments from the biggest event in sports.