Spain threatens to leave 2030 World Cup organization if it loses final

Spain is threatening to withdraw from the joint organization of the 2030 World Cup if it is not granted the right to host the final match of the competition. The statement was made by Alberto Núñez Feijóo, candidate for the presidency of the Spanish government for the People's Party (PP), in an interview with the television program El Chiringuito on the night of Thursday, November 5, 2026. When asked if he would defend the country's withdrawal if Morocco were to host the final, Feijóo answered affirmatively. The 2030 competition will be organized jointly by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. In the dispute for the venue of the decisive match, the Spanish bid is betting on the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, home of Real Madrid. For its part, Morocco is advocating for the construction of an arena with approximately 115 thousand seats in Benslimane, in the Casablanca region. The president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, stated in September that the final will take place in the African country. FIFA previously reported that it has not yet made any definitive decision regarding the venue for the tournament's closing match. The controversy occurs at a time of diplomatic tension between Spain and Morocco, accentuated by a migration crisis at the end of July following the entry of thousands of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Feijóo accused Morocco of being behind the episode and promised to adopt a firm stance if he wins the early legislative elections on November 29, 2026, in which the PP leads the voting intentions. The Spanish national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, declared on Friday, November 6, 2026, that the final should be played in Spain, but avoided commenting on the possible withdrawal of the bid.