Organization of the 2030 World Cup: Three Spanish Cities Throw in the Towel – Media7

Three Spanish cities, Gijon, Zaragoza and Valencia, have announced their withdrawal from hosting matches at the 2030 World Cup due to economic problems. The move could redefine the distribution of matches among host countries.

According to the Spanish newspaper “Marca”, these cities have decided not to participate due to financial challenges, which make them unable to meet the logistical and infrastructural requirements necessary for such an event. This decision strengthens the chances of Morocco and Portugal to host a greater number of matches, while the debate on the distribution of matches intensifies.

Spain had initially confirmed ten stadiums to host the matches, including iconic venues such as the Santiago Bernabéu and the Metropolitano in Madrid, the Camp Nou in Barcelona and the San Mamés in Bilbao. However, with the withdrawal, the configuration could change, requiring negotiations with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to ensure the tournament goes ahead.

The joint bid committee (Morocco – Portugal – Spain) clarified that no final decision has yet been taken regarding the number of stadiums or their geographical distribution. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation mentioned inspection visits to Agadir, including the Grand Stade d’Agadir, to choose the venues for the “FIFA Fans Festival” event and team training camps.

Meetings with FIFA representatives also took place to discuss progress on the final bid dossier. The committee commended the quality of cooperation between all parties involved and reaffirmed its commitment to continue working together to present a strong bid dossier.

In conclusion, although the withdrawal of the Spanish cities is a major blow, it also offers new opportunities for the other partner nations, highlighting the importance of planning and international collaboration in organising a sporting event of this magnitude.

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