According to Spanish media outlet SERDE, the co-hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup are once again in dispute, with the Portuguese Green Party's Livre party demanding a review of Morocco's eligibility to participate.
With four years to go until the 2030 World Cup, the host country remains a focal point for the tournament, co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The Portuguese Green Party, Livre, recently urged the Portuguese government and the Portuguese Football Federation to reconsider Morocco's eligibility as a co-host, citing the recent immigration crisis in Ceuta.
In a statement, the party said the inclusion of a country like Morocco in the joint bid was "unacceptable" and demanded a reassessment of its role in the project. Livre, who holds six seats in the Portuguese parliament, said the decision involved both human rights issues and the political and security situation. Livre also criticized Morocco for its continued human rights abuses, repression of the people of Western Sahara, and refusal to recognize their right to self-determination. The party further accused Morocco of using its citizens, including minors, to pressure the Spanish border during the large influx of people into Ceuta. The request has been submitted to Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro and Portuguese Football Federation President Pedro Proenza.
Livre hopes the decision will consider not only the consistency of Portugal's foreign policy and its human rights stance, but also the logistical and security issues arising from the World Cup. Livre also requested continued communication with the Spanish government and the Spanish Football Federation, chaired by Rafael Lausanne, to address the issue as quickly as possible and avoid impacting tournament preparations. Livre spokesperson Jorge Pinto wrote in a message shared on BlueSky: "Given what has happened, a courageous decision must be made: Portugal cannot be complicit in co-hosting the 2030 World Cup with Morocco."
Livre will do everything in its power to prevent us from unfortunately co-hosting this event with a country that has neither demonstrated competence nor earned the trust of its people. In Spain, Samar party MP Naúer-González also believes that Morocco should no longer be a bidder. He wrote on X: “The 2030 World Cup cannot be shared with a country that threatens and exploits a desperate populace for geostrategic gain.” In fact, the party has already submitted a motion in parliament demanding that Spain not co-host the 2030 World Cup with Morocco following the Ceuta crisis.
According to Atun Mena, a presenter for the Spanish media outlet "In-Flight Radio," the Spanish Football Federation has begun to express "real concern" about the host city for the 2030 World Cup final. The final, which initially seemed most likely to be held in Madrid, is now being considered for Rabat. FIFA President Gianni Infantino's connections with Morocco may be the decisive factor, ultimately leading to the most important match of the tournament moving from Spain to Morocco.
