Spain's Campaign Against Morocco Hosting the 2030 World Cup Final
An online movement has emerged in Spain, urging the nation to withdraw as a co-host of the upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup if FIFA decides to select Morocco's ambitious Grand Stade Hassan II, a massive 115,000-seat stadium in Casablanca, over the iconic Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid for the final match. The hashtag #OLaFinalONada, translating to 'Final Or Nothing,' has gained traction across social media platforms, echoing a growing sentiment of concern among Spanish fans regarding the potential loss of the prestigious final to Morocco. This campaign intensified following allegations that former U.S. President Donald Trump may have been exerting influence to favor Morocco's bid.
Social media reactions have been vocal, with one user stating, "If the final isn’t in Spain, we don’t want the World Cup. If the final is in Morocco, let them host it themselves." Another user shared similar frustrations, emphasizing that it would be a humiliation for Spain to host the final, especially considering that Morocco was not part of the initial bid for the tournament. Prominent Spanish journalist Paco Gonzalez has also rallied behind this cause, asserting that Spain should not participate in co-hosting unless it secures the final match, the International Broadcast Centre (IBC), most of the tournament’s matches, and at least one semi-final. He provocatively suggested that Portugal and Morocco should independently manage the tournament if Spain is not guaranteed the final.
Political Pressures and Stadium Developments
The discourse surrounding this campaign has escalated, particularly after Juanma Castano, the director of a popular Spanish sports radio show, claimed that Trump's alleged lobbying for Morocco's final hosting rights might be due to the strong diplomatic ties between Morocco and the U.S. This claim emerged in the wake of FIFA's decision to lift the suspension on U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, reportedly following a call from Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, advocating for a review of Balogun's red card penalty. Such developments have raised alarms within the Spanish football federation, with fears that political influences could sway FIFA’s final decision.
As of now, FIFA has not confirmed the venue for the 2030 World Cup final. However, Morocco has been bolstering its bid with the Grand Stade Hassan II, which is currently under construction and projected to be completed by late 2027. This stadium, designed to accommodate over 30,000 more spectators than Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, has made significant progress, with approximately 40% of its seating structure in place and the overall project nearing 30% completion. The rivalry between the two nations for hosting rights has only intensified the stakes surrounding the upcoming World Cup.
As reported by en.hespress.com.
