Spain's Aspirations for the 2030 World Cup Final at Risk
The 2030 World Cup was conceived during a significant meeting in September 2018 involving three key figures: Luis Rubiales, the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Spanish Government, and Gianni Infantino, the FIFA President. Spain was initially set to serve as the primary organizer, with discussions around the inclusion of Portugal and Morocco. In November 2018, Sánchez formally proposed the collaboration to King Mohammed VI in Rabat, who showed initial receptiveness but did not fully commit. The project evolved into an Iberian bid, which was officially confirmed in 2021. In a surprising move in 2022, Rubiales added Ukraine to the mix in response to competing bids, notably from Saudi Arabia, which ultimately fell through as Morocco re-emerged, eager to promote a united Africa and Europe.
Until now, Spain operated under the assumption that it would lead the World Cup efforts, including hosting the prestigious final match. However, this certainty has recently come into question. The current president of the Federation, Rafael Louzán, can no longer guarantee that Spain will host the final match, especially after witnessing the influence of Donald Trump over FIFA and the strengthening ties between Washington and Rabat, particularly given the strained relationship between Sánchez and the White House. The recent suspension of a red card received by U.S. national team player Folarin Balogun, which was reportedly influenced by a call from Trump to Infantino, has further fueled concerns.
Growing Fears of a Shift to Morocco
According to Juanma Castaño, the director of _El Partidazo de COPE_, there is a palpable anxiety within the Federation regarding the possibility that the final may take place not in iconic venues such as the Santiago Bernabéu or Camp Nou, but rather at the Grand Stadium Hassan II in Casablanca. This venue boasts a capacity of 115,000 spectators and is viewed by Morocco as a means to project its global image, especially as the national team has become highly competitive, currently the African champions and quarter-finalists in the ongoing World Cup. Reports indicate a rising fear, backed by credible information, that external pressures could lead to Morocco hosting the final.
Sources within the Federation suggest that Trump is a significant driving force behind this maneuver, pushing for Morocco to be the final host as he perceives the nation as a strategic partner. This dynamic is exacerbated by Trump's apparent animosity towards Sánchez, which complicates Spain's position. Consequently, initiatives are reportedly underway at various institutional levels to ensure that Spain does not miss out on hosting the final, including involvement from the Madrid City Council, which is keen to secure the World Cup's International Press Center.
As previously reported by Infobae, the United States has become a staunch ally of Morocco, extending its support from military to sports. Following the Abraham Accords in 2020, the Trump administration recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, while Morocco accepted Israel as a state. This cooperation has further deepened into economic and military realms and has now evolved into what is termed 'football diplomacy.' The World Cup has played a pivotal role in enhancing Morocco's relations, particularly with its inclusion in FIFA's security core. Gianni Infantino hailed Morocco as an 'exceptional host' following the 2025 Africa Cup.
As reported by infobae.com.
