“In this currently friendly struggle between Morocco and Spain for the hosting of the 2030 World Cup final, a new international player has recently appeared. French President Emmanuel Macron wants the final to take place. plays in Morocco and has already started to put pressure on FIFA leaders,” according to anonymous sources cited by El Debate.
For the Spanish newspaper El Debate, Macron is seeking to score points on the international scene with this maneuver. Thus, he does not hesitate to provide footballing arguments. “The French president recalled that Spain has already hosted the final of a World Cup in 1982, while Morocco has never hosted a final, nor even a World Cup match”, indicates El Debate. The same source adds that Macron’s idea is two semi-finals in Spain (one in Madrid and the other in Barcelona) while the final would be played in Morocco.
Macron also emphasizes that “Morocco has been preparing for several years to host a World Cup, [the country] having presented candidacies for the years 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010, 2018 and 2026, and is working in close collaboration with FIFA on various improvements.
The newspaper also notes that “Morocco has organized the Club World Cup on several occasions, notably in situations where FIFA had difficulty finding a host.” This close relationship between Morocco and FIFA is highlighted as a major asset.
Although Africa already had its World Cup in 2010, in South Africa, a memorable event for Spain in which it won its only trophy of the competition, “the French president considers that the African continent deserves another grand final, which would be a sign of recognition for the evolution of football in North Africa and the Maghreb,” we continue.
“Spain is aware of Macron’s maneuvers,” the same source says. The country is banking on its good relations with Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, who has in-depth knowledge of Spanish football. “Infantino, who was a trainee at La Liga many years ago when Pedro Tomás was president, is a key ally for Spain in this decision,” warns El Debate.
The newspaper also sheds light on Spain’s plans for the venue of the final: “The new Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is proposed as the venue for the final by Spain, and the Royal Spanish Football Federation has been in constant dialogue with the Real Madrid for the club to play a role in sports diplomacy.” However, El Debate emphasizes that the federation is currently in an interim period, awaiting new elections. “These elections have not yet been called, but they are expected for the first term of 2024,” recalls the newspaper.
