Pedro Sánchez has delivered an ambitious message ahead of the 2030 World Cup, declaring that Spain must take the leading role in organising football’s biggest tournament.
The Spanish prime minister believes Spain, Portugal and Morocco can improve upon the recently completed World Cup in North America. However, his insistence that Spain must “lead” the project comes as the three principal hosts begin competing for the tournament’s most prestigious matches.
Spain’s football authorities have already made clear that they want the final staged on Spanish soil, most likely at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu.
Morocco has its own plans. The country is constructing a new stadium near Casablanca with a proposed capacity of 115,000, designed partly to strengthen its claim to host the final.
Portugal, meanwhile, risks being caught between two larger partners as Spain and Morocco attempt to establish themselves as the central force behind the tournament.
Sánchez promises an even better World Cup
Sánchez delivered his bold assessment shortly before Spain defeated Argentina in the 2026 final in New Jersey.
Speaking about the next edition, he praised the work carried out by the United States, Canada and Mexico before immediately raising expectations for the European and African hosts.
“We are taking over from a great World Cup, and I am convinced that we are going to do it even better, if possible,” Sánchez said.
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According to RTVE’s report on Sánchez’s interview before the final, the prime minister also argued that sport could unite countries despite political disagreements.
His comments were not presented as criticism of the North American tournament. Sánchez congratulated the three host nations and described the event as a success.
Nevertheless, the promise to produce an even better competition establishes a demanding standard for Spain, Portugal and Morocco before detailed preparations have been completed.
Spain wants to control the project
Sánchez had already adopted an assertive position during a government meeting on the organisation of the 2030 tournament in June.
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He said Spain’s size, infrastructure and experience meant that the country had a responsibility to take charge of the preparations.
“The objective is for the entire project to be a success, but we also know what Spain can contribute,” Sánchez said.
“Our responsibility, because of our weight, capacity and experience, is to lead and drive the process forward.”
As detailed in the Spanish government’s official account of the meeting, 15 government ministries and approximately 150 people across eight working groups are already involved in the preparations.
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Sánchez described the World Cup as one of the most important events in Spain’s recent history and an opportunity to project a positive image of the country around the world.
The language, however, underlined that Spain does not see itself merely as one equal partner among three.
Madrid expects to direct much of the project.
Spanish football chief demands the final
The position of the Spanish Football Federation is even clearer.
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RFEF president Rafael Louzán has identified four principal objectives: retaining all 11 proposed Spanish host cities, securing FIFA’s international media centre, housing FIFA’s central operations and staging the final in Spain.
“Spain must be at the head of the organisation of a World Cup whose final must take place in our country,” Louzán said.
According to the RFEF’s statement outlining its 2030 demands, Spain carries approximately 55 per cent of the organisational weight within the joint project.
The Santiago Bernabéu is widely considered Spain’s strongest candidate for the final.
Real Madrid’s renovated stadium combines its central location, significant hospitality capacity and global reputation with the commercial appeal of one of football’s largest clubs.
Barcelona’s Camp Nou could also be considered, but Spain’s federation has not yet received a formal guarantee from FIFA regarding the final venue.
Morocco refuses to surrender the showpiece
Spain’s confidence is likely to face serious resistance from Morocco.
The Grand Stade Hassan II is being constructed in Benslimane, outside Casablanca, with plans for a capacity of approximately 115,000. If completed as proposed, it would be larger than both the Bernabéu and Camp Nou.
Moroccan authorities view the stadium as a defining project for the country and an opportunity to stage the first men’s World Cup final held in Africa since South Africa hosted the tournament in 2010.
As described by The Guardian’s examination of Morocco’s preparations, the country is investing heavily in stadiums, transport, tourism and other infrastructure before the tournament.
The Moroccan project is therefore about more than football.
Hosting the final would provide enormous political and symbolic value, strengthening the country’s image as an increasingly influential force in African and international sport.
FIFA has not announced which stadium will host the final, meaning the contest between Madrid and Casablanca remains open.
Portugal risks being pushed aside
Portugal is an essential part of the joint bid but does not possess a stadium comparable in size to the leading Spanish and Moroccan candidates.
Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz and Estádio José Alvalade are expected to stage important matches, while Porto’s Estádio do Dragão is also part of the project.
However, Portugal is unlikely to host the opening ceremony or final unless the tournament plan changes significantly.
Sánchez’s declaration that Spain must lead the organisation could therefore be sensitive in Lisbon, particularly if decisions about scheduling, commercial operations and prestigious knockout matches become dominated by Spain and Morocco.
There is no public evidence of a serious dispute between the three governments. The joint bid has repeatedly been presented as a symbol of cooperation between Europe and Africa.
Still, the battle for influence is already visible.
Spain wants the final, Morocco wants the final, and both countries want to be remembered as the tournament’s principal host.
Six countries will take part in hosting
The 2030 World Cup will be staged primarily across Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Three centenary matches will also be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to recognise the tournament’s South American origins. Uruguay hosted and won the first World Cup in 1930.
According to FIFA’s official explanation of the 2030 format, the six participating host nations will qualify automatically.
The South American matches are scheduled to take place before the main opening phase begins in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
That structure has already attracted criticism because of the travel demands placed on the teams involved. FIFA maintains that the competition can remain within the existing international calendar without requiring additional release days from clubs.
The unusual format also increases the organisational challenge facing Sánchez and the three principal host countries.
Spain dreams of winning at home
Sánchez’s ambitions are not limited to staging the competition.
After welcoming Spain’s newly crowned world champions to the Moncloa Palace, he challenged the national team to retain the trophy on home soil in 2030.
“Why not dream in 2030 that good things come in threes?” Sánchez said.
The remark referred to Spain’s World Cup victories in 2010 and 2026.
Quoted by EFE in its report from the official reception, Sánchez thanked the players for their football, effort and victory before turning his attention towards the next tournament.
Spain will enter 2030 carrying enormous expectations if the current generation remains among the world’s strongest teams.
The prospect of defending the title at home would also give the government and federation an additional reason to fight for the final.
Cooperation faces its first real test
Spain, Portugal and Morocco secured the World Cup by presenting a shared vision built around geographical closeness, cultural connections and cooperation between continents.
That unity will now be tested by the distribution of matches, FIFA facilities, commercial benefits and political prestige.
Sánchez says Spain must lead.
The RFEF says the final must be held in Spain.
Morocco is building a stadium intended to make precisely the opposite case.
The 2030 World Cup remains almost four years away, but the first major contest has already begun.
It will not be decided on the pitch.
