Egypt bid to stage Spanish Super Cup as Qatar plan faces regional uncertainty

Egypt has entered the race to host the next edition of the Spanish Super Cup in Cairo, as the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) weighs up alternatives amid lingering uncertainty over the tournament’s venue.

The RFEF is seeking a new home for this season’s competition after it became impossible to stage the event in Saudi Arabia, with dates clashing with the Asian Cup, scheduled from 7 January to 5 February. That scheduling conflict has pushed Spanish officials to assess a series of proposals from multiple countries.

Qatar no longer clear favourite

Qatar had initially emerged as the frontrunner to host the Super Cup, largely because of the congested football calendar and its existing infrastructure for major events.

However, recent security developments in the Middle East – following heightened military tensions involving the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other – have reopened the debate inside the RFEF over the safest and most suitable location.

Although domestic and international football matches are continuing normally in Qatar, Spanish officials are now actively evaluating fallback options due to potential risks linked to the wider regional situation.

Cairo pushes its case

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has made direct contact with its Spanish counterpart to formally propose staging the Super Cup in Cairo.

Egypt is said to be basing its pitch on the huge popularity of Spanish football in the country, arguing that strong local interest would help guarantee both packed stadiums and a high standard of organisation.

The RFEF has not limited its talks to Egypt. It has also received offers from China, the United States and Mexico – two of the three co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup – along with expressions of interest from other nations keen to bring the four-team tournament to their soil.

Improved Egypt–Spain football ties

Marca’s report notes that relations between the Egyptian and Spanish federations have improved significantly in recent months.

The two bodies had previously clashed over the cancellation of the “Finalissima” match that had been scheduled for March. That dispute has since been resolved, with both sides reaching an agreement to stage a friendly instead, which was eventually played at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella.

The EFA also publicly welcomed the stance taken by the RFEF after it condemned offensive chants heard from sections of the crowd during that fixture, which included the slogan: “المسلم هو من لا يقفز” – translated as “The Muslim is the one who does not jump.”

Egyptian officials view this recent cooperation as a foundation for deeper partnership, with hosting the Super Cup seen as a potential flagship project in that relationship.

Super Cup line-up set

The Spanish Super Cup is scheduled for the first week of February, with the semi-final ties already confirmed.

Barcelona are due to face Atletico Madrid in one semi-final, while Real Madrid will meet Real Sociedad in the other. The winners will then contest the final at the same neutral venue.

With time ticking down before the competition is due to kick off, the RFEF is under pressure to finalise its decision on the host country. Egypt’s late but high-profile push, combined with geopolitical concerns surrounding Qatar, has turned the contest to stage one of Spanish football’s showpiece events into a genuinely open race.