On September 23, 2026, the competitive landscape for hosting the 2030 World Cup final has intensified, with Madrid's mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, asserting that Casablanca now holds a better chance than the Spanish capital for this prestigious event. Speaking at a meeting in Zaragoza, the mayor criticized the Spanish government's lack of support for the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium's candidacy, stating, "Casablanca has more chances than Madrid" to secure the final. His comments come amid strained relations between Spain and Morocco, particularly due to the ongoing crisis at Ceuta, prompting Almeida to question the Spanish government's commitment. "If he cannot defend the border of Ceuta, how can he defend the World Cup final in Madrid?" he remarked, directly challenging Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
Almeida's statements underscore a mounting concern that Morocco is actively vying for the final, while he perceives no tangible effort from the Spanish government to bolster Madrid's position. Despite his criticisms, the mayor continues to advocate for Madrid as the logical choice for hosting the final, citing the original bid's roots in Spain and Portugal prior to Morocco's involvement. He emphasized that Madrid possesses the necessary credentials to host the tournament's climax, yet lamented a lack of governmental communication or support for this objective. "We have had no contact with the Spanish government, and no initiatives have been communicated to us," Almeida expressed, highlighting a disconnect between local aspirations and national actions.
Furthermore, Almeida hinted at potential repercussions should the final not be held in Madrid, although he refrained from detailing what those consequences might entail. He did, however, stop short of suggesting that Spain might reconsider its participation in the tournament's organization. The FIFA has yet to announce any selected cities for the event, indicating that decisions will be made at a later date. Meanwhile, the Grand Stade Hassan II, currently under construction near Casablanca, remains a formidable competitor against the Santiago Bernabéu and other Spanish venues. With prominent Spanish football figures acknowledging Casablanca as a serious contender, the race to host the World Cup final is heating up, leaving Madrid to grapple with the possibility of losing this prestigious event to its Moroccan counterpart.
As reported by bladi.net.
