Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente has stated that he wants the 2030 World Cup final to be played in Spain. He made these comments during a press conference in Madrid, where he announced his squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. De la Fuente emphasized that his primary responsibility is to prepare the best possible team to win the World Cup. The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.
De la Fuente's comments come amid a growing dispute over the final, with Spanish opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo suggesting that Spain should withdraw from hosting the tournament if Morocco is selected to stage the final. Feijóo, who leads Spain's opposition People's Party, argued that Spain deserves the match due to its footballing achievements and experience organizing major sporting events. He confirmed that he would advocate for such a withdrawal if he becomes prime minister after the November 29 general election.
While De la Fuente shares Feijóo's preference for a Spanish final, he has previously expressed a different position regarding Spain's hosting commitments. In an interview published on October 27, he argued that countries should respect agreements they have already made, even when subsequent decisions do not meet their expectations. This stance suggests that De la Fuente may not support Spain's withdrawal from the tournament, even if Morocco hosts the final.
The renewed debate concerns one of the most closely watched decisions ahead of the 2030 tournament. Morocco is seeking to bring the final to the Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane, near Casablanca, a stadium designed to accommodate approximately 115,000 spectators. Spain is also seeking the match, with Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu among the leading proposed venues. FIFA has yet to determine the location of the final.
FIFA has scheduled inspections of candidate stadiums and infrastructure across the three host countries during November and December as part of its venue selection process. The governing body will consider various factors, including stadium capacity, infrastructure, and logistical arrangements, when making its decision. The 2030 World Cup is expected to be a major event, with many countries vying for hosting rights.
De la Fuente's comments have sparked a renewed debate about Spain's hosting commitments and the potential implications of Morocco hosting the final. While Feijóo has threatened to withdraw Spain from the tournament, De la Fuente has emphasized the importance of preparing a strong team for the event. The Spain coach has previously expressed his commitment to respecting agreements and ensuring that Spain fulfills its hosting obligations.
The decision on the 2030 World Cup final host is expected to be made in the coming months. FIFA's inspections and evaluations will play a crucial role in determining the host of the final. The outcome will have significant implications for the host countries, including Spain, Morocco, and Portugal. Key points:
Key points
- Spain coach Luis de la Fuente wants the 2030 World Cup final to be played in Spain.
- Spanish opposition leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo has threatened to withdraw Spain from the tournament if Morocco hosts the final.
- FIFA has scheduled inspections of candidate stadiums and infrastructure across the three host countries.
