Santiago Canizares warns geopolitics must shape 2030 World Cup final decision

Santiago Canizares has described Morocco as a “very bad opponent” as the debate over where to stage the 2030 FIFA World Cup final continues between Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu and the planned Al Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca.

The former Spain, Valencia and Real Madrid goalkeeper made the comments while discussing the dispute on the El Partidazo de COPE programme. His remarks came amid growing controversy over reports that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had offered Morocco the chance to host the final in return for support that would help him remain in office.

FIFA has rejected those claims, describing the information published by The Times as “false and misleading”. However, speculation over the venue for the tournament’s showpiece match has intensified in recent weeks.

The issue has also prompted calls in the Spanish parliament for Morocco to be removed from the list of countries organising the 2030 World Cup.

Canizares said he was not interested in the political and power struggles taking place at football’s highest levels, saying: “I do not have much analysis of tie affairs, because they bore me a lot.”

The former goalkeeper, who now works as a commentator, added: “I am more inclined to watch what happens on the football pitch.”

He argued that decisions made away from the field can often be influenced by personal interests and ambitions. Canizares criticised “all those who wear ties and do nothing but look after their interests and ambitions”, rather than putting the interests of football first.

His most contentious comments came when he addressed the possibility of Morocco staging the 2030 World Cup final.

“Morocco is a very bad opponent, isn’t it? A very bad opponent,” Canizares said.

He went on to stress that the wider political context should also be taken into account when choosing a venue for a match of such importance.

“The geopolitical situation also matters,” he said, before underlining the impact of international relations on the decision.

“Relations between countries have a major influence,” Canizares added, in an apparent reference to the complex relationship between Spain and Morocco.

He concluded by saying: “We can already see that Morocco, honestly, is not a country with which we enjoy…”

Canizares left the sentence unfinished.

The final venue remains contested, with the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid and the future Al Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca at the centre of the debate. The dispute has developed alongside the allegations surrounding Infantino, FIFA’s denial of those allegations and the political pressure in Spain concerning Morocco’s role in the organisation of the 2030 World Cup.