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Rabat – After Málaga and La Coruna officially withdrew from hosting matches of the 2030 World Cup, which will be co‑organized by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, fresh uncertainty has surfaced in the Basque Country.
Both Bilbao and San Sebastian are questioning whether they can meet FIFA’s requirements to stage games.
The World Cup will be the 24th edition of the tournament, following the 2026 event in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Morocco has already renovated most of its six proposed stadiums to meet FIFA standards, but Spain’s 11 candidate venues have faced repeated setbacks.
Cities such as Gijón, La Coruna, and Málaga pulled out earlier, citing renovation costs that far outweighed expected economic benefits.
Now Bilbao’s San Mamés Stadium and San Sebastián’s Anoeta Stadium are under review, with local institutions calling for “time to reflect” before committing.
Financial and political debate
Reports from Spanish media estimate renovation and infrastructure costs at around $35 million per city, later reduced to $20 million after negotiations with FIFA.
Even at the lower figure, officials argue the investment may not deliver sufficient returns.
Beyond finances, political voices have raised concerns about the social impact of hosting.
Basque representatives, including members of EH Bildu, questioned whether welcoming massive international crowds aligns with local priorities.
Some argued that such events risk undermining regional identity, sparking criticism from other political parties who see the hesitation as damaging Spain’s credibility.
Tensions with FIFA
Sources close to the talks say negotiations with FIFA have been difficult, with local institutions accusing the governing body of pushing excessive demands.
Requirements include stadium upgrades, transport improvements, parking, security, and promotional commitments.
FIFA also insists that approved venues remain free of non‑football events for 30 days before the tournament and seven days after.
This condition could disrupt major local events such as Bilbao’s BBK Live music festival, raising further resistance.
San Sebastián’s mayor confirmed that a financial report must be submitted to FIFA by May 31, 2026, with a final decision expected this summer.
Both Bilbao and San Sebastián will need to clarify whether they remain in the project or step aside, joining the list of Spanish cities already withdrawn.
For Morocco, preparations continue smoothly, with stadiums upgraded ahead of AFCON 2025 and ready for the World Cup. But in Spain, doubts over costs, politics, and logistics highlight the challenges of organizing a tournament spread across three nations.
