La Cartuja stadium saw a disappointing turnout for Spain’s final national team match of the year
Spain secured their ticket to the 2026 World Cup this past Tuesday. However, the crowd at La Cartuja was noticeably sparse. The players explained that a Tuesday night match limited fan attendance.
After Spain’s 4-0 victory over Georgia, qualification was virtually guaranteed. The only remaining concern was avoiding a heavy defeat against Turkey. Yet many fans missed witnessing Spain’s achievement firsthand, as the post-match celebration was minimal, if it existed at all.
All there was, really, was a single photo with a huge banner reading “QUALIFIED” (for the 2026 FIFA World Cup). Only 30,000 spectators paid to watch the match, meaning just over a third of the stadium’s 72,000-seat capacity was filled.
It’s true that no official celebration or long lap of honor had been announced to thank fans for Spain securing a World Cup spot. Had such an event been planned, excitement for La Roja’s match against the Turkish side might have been much higher.
Weekday, Workday
The match was held on a Tuesday at 9:00 PM. After the game, no mid-distance trains run to other Spanish cities, forcing many spectators to spend the night in Seville. Those who did had to take the following Wednesday off work.
