Spain is sensing an opening after a series of incidents linked to Morocco’s hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations, with the spotlight now turning to what this could mean for the battle to stage the 2030 World Cup final.
Morocco will host the Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament it sees as a key test ahead of 2030, when the World Cup will be organised together with Spain and Portugal. But what should have been a smooth run-up has been overshadowed by setbacks and controversy, and in Spain there is a clear feeling that Morocco’s position has become less secure.
Spanish media and voices around the bid are pointing to the problems as proof that Morocco still has work to do on organisation, planning and control around major events. The incidents have fed the idea that Spain could push harder to have the biggest match of the tournament — the final — played on Spanish soil.
The joint 2030 project has been presented publicly as a partnership, yet behind the scenes the prestige of hosting the final remains one of the most sensitive issues. Morocco has invested heavily and is eager to show it can deliver, but any negative headlines around the Africa Cup of Nations are now being used as ammunition in Spain.
What has effectively been revealed is that the race for the 2030 World Cup final is still wide open, and that Spain is ready to use Morocco’s Africa Cup issues to strengthen its case. The coming period, with decisions and evaluations drawing closer, is expected to be decisive in how the final is allocated within the joint bid.
