Spain's sports minister says country 'deserves' to host 2030 World Cup final, not Morocco

Spain "deserves" to host the 2030 World Cup final, according to the country's sports minister Milagros Tolón.

FIFA has yet to make a decision on which country will stage the title game with Spain, Portugal and Morocco the main co-hosts for the 2030 edition.

Football's world governing body denied on Wednesday a media report suggesting Gianni Infantino had offered Morocco to host the 2030 World Cup final as part of his efforts to shore up support for his FIFA presidency.

"The most important thing is that FIFA has already denied it," Tolón told Cadena Ser radio. "We are working with FIFA and our next meeting is in September. We're going to keep working because we want and we believe the World Cup final has to be held in Spain. We deserve it and we've always been committed to it taking place in Spain."

Spain is the only country to hold the title of reigning world champions in both men's and women's senior football at the same time.

The women's team clinched their first World Cup trophy after beating England in Sydney in 2023.

The men's team was crowned European champions two years ago and overcame Argentina in last month's World Cup final in New Jersey to earn their second star.

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"Firstly, we are world champions in both the men's and women's World Cups," she said. "Secondly, Spain and Portugal jointly put forward the bid for the 2030 World Cup, with Morocco later joining them.

"We have a wealth of experience in sporting events, but, what's more, Spain has a modern communications network and a high level of security. Given all these advantages, I am convinced that FIFA will choose Spain to host the final."

Morocco hopes to host the final at the planned 115,000-seat King Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca. Spain, that hosted the 1982 World Cup, has at least two contenders -- the home stadiums of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The 2030 World Cup will begin in Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and Asunción before moving to the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco.