Sánchez stirs Spain–Morocco row over who hosts the 2030 World Cup final

Who gets to host the 2030 World Cup final? Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has just put the question back on the table, and the argument is heating up.

What happened?

Speaking to Spanish broadcaster La Sexta, Sánchez defended the joint bid by Spain, Portugal and Morocco. He stressed that the idea started with the two Iberian countries. "It's true that two countries launched this idea, Spain and Portugal, because it was Europe's turn to host the tournament, and then we added Morocco," he said.

He also tried to calm Spanish fans worried that the final might end up in Morocco. Spain, he said, "will host more World Cup matches than any other country."

Sánchez looked back on Spain's title this summer in the United States too. He described the moment US President Donald Trump handed the trophy to Spain as "real political euphoria." "We won in South Africa, and also in New York, and now it's our turn to lift the trophy in Spain in 2030, right?" he said, adding that the final decision belongs to FIFA (world football's governing body).

Why is everyone talking about it?

Because the Royal Spanish Football Federation reportedly fears the decisive match could be played in Morocco. Spanish journalist Juanma Castaño said on the programme El Partidazo de COPE that pressure from Trump could be decisive in giving the North African country the final.

Then there's the opposition. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, leader of the People's Party, is reportedly considering a campaign proposal for Spain to pull out of hosting altogether if FIFA refuses to give it the final.

The federation's president, Rafael Louzán, rejects that idea. He ruled out any withdrawal and called for calm at an institutional level. "Spain has signed agreements with the other countries, with FIFA and with the government to organise the next World Cup," he said.

What came before?

In October 2023, FIFA confirmed that Spain, Portugal and Morocco would host the 2030 World Cup, with opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. In December 2024, the FIFA Council formally ratified the three-continent tournament, and named Saudi Arabia as 2034 host.

What's next?

FIFA has the last word on where the final is played. Until it speaks, expect the debate in Spain to keep going.