The sporting aftermath of the Ceuta migration crisis opens a new front for the Government. The fact that the 2030 World Cup is organized by Spain and Morocco (along with Portugal) has created a political rift for which the Executive currently has no response.
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The opposition, almost in unison, has come out to ask Pedro Sánchez for two things: first, at least to open a debate on the advisability or not of maintaining that organizational alliance and, second, as a lesser evil, to guarantee that the final of the championship, scheduled for July 21 of that year. The Popular Party is the one that has been most specific in its requests and possible consequences.
In a letter sent to the Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, Milagros Tolón, dated yesterday, it warns the Government that, if Spain were not the host of the final, it would question “the advisability of Spain continuing with the celebration of the World Cup.” That is, if FIFA gives the final to Morocco, the Popular Party believes there is room to consider whether it makes sense to continue organizing the World Cup. This stance is especially relevant because, depending on the timing and the result of next year’s general elections, it could happen that the choice of the final venue is made with a PP Government.
The letter, signed by Borja Sémper, spokesperson for Culture and Sports, emphasizes that Spain is bearing the economic cost of the organization, hence requesting a meeting with the Minister to start a collaboration, not without first accusing the Executive of doing nothing. “I am particularly concerned about the Government’s public inaction in a scenario of this nature. The 2030 final will not be decided by comparing capacities or stadium plans: it will be decided in offices. And in that arena, Spain cannot appear with statements when others appear with coordinated State action,” he says.
“THE FINAL IS NOT A FAVOR”
Those statements to which Sémper refers are from Milagros Tolón herself who, questioned about the matter, simply said they trust to be the host of the final “because we deserve it.” “The final is not a favor to be requested, but the natural consequence of Spain’s leadership.”
The PP’s position on the matter was the most forceful, but not the only one. In just 48 hours, parties positioned at opposite ideological ends reached the same conclusion. The movement began on Tuesday with the initiative registered by Sumar, which called for a review of the joint candidacy in light of the Ceuta events and even proposed the possibility of activating mechanisms to review the host status of any country that commits serious violations related to human rights. Podemos and various left-wing leaders later joined that position.
Yesterday, the issue ceased to be a claim of a single political space when Vox registered a non-legislative motion for Congress to urge the Government to request FIFA to exclude Morocco from the 2030 World Cup. Abascal’s party considers that the events in Ceuta have broken the necessary trust conditions for a shared candidacy and also demands that Spain guarantee that the final is played on national territory.
Regarding that final, the Government wanted to emphasize that FIFA had denied the information from The Times stating that Gianni Infantino had promised that last match to Morocco if they supported his re-election. It is worth remembering that FIFA also initially denied the intention to privatize 20% of the World Cup, something that proved true in light of what happened later.
In short, the Government, favoring a low profile, if not abstention, faces growing pressure coming from very different ideological positions. Some demand breaking with Morocco. Others call for a complete review of the alliance. But even among those who defend maintaining the joint project, an idea that seemed indisputable a few months ago and has now become a political demand is consolidating: if Spain continues in this candidacy, it must mobilize all diplomatic resources at its disposal to guarantee that the 2030 final is played in Spain.
