Calls for Morocco to be excluded as 2030 World Cup host

Spanish political parties from the far left and right have reached a rare point of agreement, calling for Morocco to be excluded from the 2030 FIFA World Cup following the migration crisis in Ceuta in which 140 people died. 

The competition is scheduled to take place in stadiums in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with the Estadio Gran Canaria being the first Canarian venue to hold a World Cup match.

The left-wing Sumar party, who are part of the ruling coalition in Spain, tabled a motion in parliament demanding that “while serious doubts persist about the political exploitation of human lives, Morocco cannot be permitted the prestige and economic benefits of hosting a World Cup.”

The following day, the hard-right Vox party tabled its own motion, saying Morocco was “not a loyal partner”, and accusing it of “serious attacks on national sovereignty.”

Spain’s Sports Minister, Milagros Tolón (pictured), has responded that “we may have our differences in government, but we support this World Cup.” On the question of whether Spain or Morocco should host the final, she said “We deserve the final, but it will be FIFA who decide.”