Spain deserves 2030 World Cup final, says Madrid mayor

Madrid mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida says Spain should reconsider its role in staging the 2030 World Cup if the final is awarded to Morocco.

Almeida said Spain had provided sufficient reasons to host the tournament’s showpiece match, pointing to its national teams, stadiums, infrastructure and experience of organising major events.

Speaking during a visit to the “Kings of the World” exhibition at Madrid’s city hall, Almeida renewed his call for the final to be played in Spain, according to Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

“After what the Spanish men’s football team is achieving, will they deny us the final?” he said. “After what the men’s, women’s and Olympic teams have achieved, and after what happened at the European Championship, would anyone dare take the final away from a country with the best stadiums, infrastructure and experience of organising major events?”

Almeida also questioned whether Spain should continue in its current organisational role if it is not selected to host the match.

“It would be mean-spirited to deny Spanish football this right,” he said. “I believe Spain deserves to host the World Cup final. If we do not host it, we must reconsider our role, because everything has its limits.”

Madrid or Barcelona

The mayor said Spain and Portugal had initiated the hosting bid before Morocco joined them. Other countries will also stage celebratory matches to mark the centenary of the World Cup.

He remains committed to Madrid hosting the final, but said he would support another Spanish city if the capital is not chosen.

“I feel sorry for Morocco, and I believe everything has its limits,” Almeida said. “Personally, I would be delighted for the match to be played in Madrid and I will defend its bid to host the final. But if it is not held in the capital, it must remain in Spain, and in that case it would be Barcelona.”

Almeida’s comments come as Spain and Morocco compete to stage the final. Morocco is seeking to host the match at a new stadium in Casablanca.

The Spanish official said his country’s bid gave it strong grounds to claim the final, while continuing to support Madrid as his preferred venue.

He also referred to FIFA’s assessment of the hosting proposals, saying Spain received the highest rating after its infrastructure was reviewed. He highlighted Santiago Bernabeu and Metropolitano Stadium among the facilities strengthening the Spanish case.

Spain, Portugal and Morocco will jointly host the 2030 World Cup. Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will stage one celebratory match each to mark 100 years since the first tournament, held in Uruguay in 1930.

The six countries are awaiting confirmation of the match schedule and wider organisational responsibilities. The location of the final remains one of the most closely watched decisions ahead of the tournament.