Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez used an appearance on La Séptima radio to speak about the 2030 World Cup bid and the dispute over whether the final will be staged in Spain or Morocco, stressing Spain's central role in the tournament.
Sánchez backs joint Spain-Portugal-Morocco bid
Pedro Sánchez spoke on La Séptima radio about the 2030 World Cup bid. He said that Spain, Portugal and Morocco are jointly bidding to host the tournament and defended this joint project. Sánchez said: "It is true that two countries organised or launched this idea, Spain and Portugal, because it is Europe's turn to host the tournament, and we added a sister nation like Morocco."
According to Sánchez, the original initiative to host the 2030 World Cup came from Spain and Portugal, and he said that these two countries launched the idea because it is Europe's turn to host the tournament. He added that Spain and Portugal brought Morocco into the bid as "a sister nation".
Spain aiming to host the largest number of matches
Pedro Sánchez said that Spain will host more 2030 World Cup matches than any other country. Speaking on La Séptima radio, he stated: "Spain will host the largest number of World Cup matches compared to any other country".
Sánchez also said: "This is a matter for FIFA, and Spain is the country that will host the largest number of matches." He underlined that the final decisions rest with FIFA.
Recalling World Cup triumph and a "political orgasm"
Pedro Sánchez recalled the moment Spain collected the World Cup trophy in the United States. He described the sight of US President Donald Trump handing the World Cup trophy to Spain as "a genuine political orgasm".
Sánchez also referred to Spain's previous World Cup successes and said: "We won in South Africa, we won in New York, and now it is our turn to win in Spain in 2030, isn't it?"
Concerns over final venue and talk of withdrawal
The Royal Spanish Football Federation fears that the 2030 World Cup final could be played in Morocco. Juanma Castaño revealed on El Partidazo de COPE that pressure from former US President Donald Trump may prove decisive in handing Morocco the 2030 World Cup final.
According to El Partidazo de COPE, People's Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo is considering proposing during his election campaign that Spain pull out of hosting the 2030 World Cup if FIFA refuses to grant it the final.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo's possible proposal to withdraw from hosting the 2030 World Cup contradicts the Royal Spanish Football Federation's official line. Royal Spanish Football Federation president Rafael Louzán ruled out any possibility of Spain withdrawing from hosting the 2030 World Cup and called for institutional calm regarding the hosting issue.
Rafael Louzán said on El Partidazo de COPE: "Spain has signed agreements with the other countries, with FIFA, and with the government to organise this World Cup." He referred to the agreements Spain has in place to organise the 2030 tournament.
