Spain warns it will quit 2030 World Cup if Morocco hosts final

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 6 Nov, 14:50 · Archive

Spain's likely next prime minister says Spain will withdraw as co-host if Morocco stages the final.

Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the conservative People's Party leader and favourite to become Spain's next prime minister after this month's snap election, has warned that Spain will pull out as co-host of the 2030 World Cup if Morocco is given the final. Speaking on the sports television show El Chiringuito, Feijóo said it is 'fair, fitting and unquestionable' that Spain hosts the final. He confirmed he would advocate for Spain to withdraw from co-hosting duties if Morocco was awarded the flagship match.

Feijóo noted that the 2030 World Cup was originally a Spanish-Portuguese bid until Morocco was invited at a later stage. He argued that Spain, as reigning world champion in both men's and women's World Cups and home to one of the world's top leagues, should have primacy. Morocco has been pushing vigorously to stage the final and has invested vast amounts in football infrastructure.

Tensions between Spain and Morocco have recently flared over migration and border issues involving Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta. A Sigma Dos poll found that 84.4 per cent of Spaniards opposed Spain continuing to co-host the World Cup with Morocco. Leftist parties in Spain's parliament have also opposed the arrangement, with one tabling a resolution backed by the far-right Vox party.

How it is being reported

• Spain told to quit 2030 World Cup co-hosting if Morocco gets the finalAlberto Nunez Feijoo has called for Spain to abandon its co-hosting duties if Fifa awards the tournament's showpiece fixture to Morocco.Independent Sport · 6 Nov, 15:21
• Election favorite says Spain should quit as World Cup co-host if Morocco stages the finalAlberto Núñez Feijóo, the conservative front-runner to become Spain's next prime minister, said it is “fair, fitting and unquestionable” that his country hosts the 2030 showpiece fixture.Politico Europe · 6 Nov, 14:31
• Fifa told Spain will pull out of hosting 2030 World Cup if Morocco hosts finalSpain will withdraw as a co-host of the 2030 World Cup if it is not awarded the final, the country’s likely next prime minister, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, has warned. The issue has placed a strain on relations between Spanish football chiefs and Fifa, amid suspicions that Morocco will be given the honour of staging the [...]City AM · 6 Nov, 10:06

In this story: Spain · Morocco · Alberto Núñez Feijóo · Portugal · People's Party · Ceuta · Fifa

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