Spain’s World Cup hosting pact faces political test before 2030 final decision

The future of Spain’s partnership with Morocco and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup has become a political issue ahead of Spain’s general election on 29 November, with growing divisions over where the final should be played.

Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the People’s Party and a candidate to become prime minister, has said Spain should withdraw from hosting the tournament if it is not awarded the final.

“Spain must host the World Cup final and, if it does not, in my view Spain should not take part in organising the World Cup,” Feijoo said.

Asked whether he would support withdrawal if the final was held in Morocco, he replied that he would. In a post on X, he added: “The leading power in world football cannot be humiliated.”

Feijoo said Spain had the footballing and organisational credentials to stage the match, pointing to the country’s status in the sport and the achievements of its men’s and women’s national teams.

Isabel Diaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid and a senior People’s Party figure, backed his position. She said it would be “logical” for Spain not to remain involved in the organisation if it did not secure the final, while also linking her stance to political tensions between Madrid and Rabat.

Government backs joint bid

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has taken a different approach, defending the continuation of the partnership with Morocco while also calling for the final to be played in Spain.

Sanchez said in August that his government would work to bring the match to Spain, declaring: “The time has come for Spain to win the World Cup on home soil.” He stopped short of threatening to withdraw from the tournament’s organisation.

Spain’s sports minister, Milagros Tolon, reiterated the government’s support for the joint hosting plan. “We respect that, because we are a coalition government and sometimes we have differences, but as a government we support this World Cup,” she said.

Tolon added that deciding the venue for the final was a matter for world governing body FIFA.

Opposition to Morocco’s involvement has also emerged on the Spanish left. The left-wing Sumar party has submitted a parliamentary initiative calling for the joint-hosting model to be reviewed, citing the migration crisis in Ceuta.

The right-wing Vox party has said it is willing to support the initiative, while Podemos has adopted a similar position by opposing the joint organisation of the tournament.

Rafael Louzan, president of the Spanish Football Federation, said Spain had the strongest claim to stage the final because it is responsible for 55% of the joint bid. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has also said he believes the match will be played in Spain.

Election implications

Most polling for the 29 November election places Feijoo’s People’s Party ahead of Sanchez’s Socialist Party.

An average of the surveys gives the People’s Party 31% of voting intentions, compared with 26.9% for the Socialists and 19.2% for Vox.

Based on their stated positions, Sanchez and the Socialist Party are more likely to preserve the partnership with Morocco while continuing to seek the final for Spain. A Feijoo-led government, particularly if supported by Vox, could adopt a tougher stance after his withdrawal warning.

Vox remains the party most firmly opposed to Morocco’s involvement.

FIFA has yet to decide where the 2030 final will be played. It has said the venue will be announced at the appropriate time and has made no commitment to either Spain or Morocco.