Spain considers World Cup withdrawal if Morocco is awarded 2030 final

Spanish opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo is reportedly considering withdrawing Spain from hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup if Morocco is selected to stage the tournament’s final.

Feijoo, leader of the conservative People’s Party (PP), is weighing a proposal that would make Spain’s continued involvement in the organisation of the competition conditional on being awarded the final.

According to journalist Juanma Castano, who reported the development on El Partidazo de COPE, Feijoo is considering introducing the proposal during the campaign for Spain’s general election on November 29.

The plan would see Spain withdraw from organising the tournament if FIFA awards the final to another country, potentially putting its joint hosting arrangement with Morocco and Portugal at risk.

Spanish newspaper El Espanol also reported that sources within the PP had confirmed the party’s position, although Feijoo has yet to make a final decision public.

The development comes amid growing competition between Morocco and Spain to host the showpiece match of the 2030 World Cup.

Spanish football federation opposes withdrawal

Feijoo’s reported position contrasts with that of Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Rafael Louzan, who has previously ruled out Spain withdrawing from the tournament.

Speaking to COPE in September, Louzan emphasised that Spain had already signed agreements with FIFA, the other co-hosting nations and the Spanish government.

He insisted that those commitments must be honoured regardless of which country is eventually selected to host the final.

Although Louzan has consistently expressed his preference for Spain to stage the decisive match, citing the country’s football infrastructure and experience in organising major sporting events, he has acknowledged that the final decision rests with FIFA.

Morocco pushes Grand Stade Hassan II bid

Morocco is seeking to host the 2030 World Cup final at the Grand Stade Hassan II, which is under construction near Casablanca.

The proposed stadium is expected to have a capacity of approximately 115,000 spectators, making it a major part of the North African country’s ambition to stage the tournament’s biggest match.

Spain, meanwhile, has identified Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu and Barcelona’s Camp Nou as leading candidates to host the final.

Both countries have publicly expressed their ambitions, but FIFA has yet to announce which venue will be selected.

Morocco, Spain and Portugal confirmed as co-hosts

Morocco, Spain and Portugal were officially appointed joint hosts of the 2030 FIFA World Cup in December 2024.

The tournament will also include three centenary celebration matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay as part of the competition’s 100th-anniversary celebrations.

Feijoo’s reported proposal comes ahead of Spain’s November 29 general election, with the position of the next government potentially influencing discussions surrounding the tournament.