Portugal’s LIVRE party has called for Morocco to be removed from the joint hosting arrangements for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, following a recent migration crisis in the city of Ceuta.
The dispute has prompted strong reactions across several European countries and has moved beyond political debate to raise questions about Morocco’s involvement in the tournament.
In a letter published by the party’s spokesman, Jorge Pinto, LIVRE urged Portugal to end its participation in organising the World Cup alongside Morocco, according to French broadcaster RMC.
“In light of recent events, the need for a courageous decision is clear: Portugal cannot participate in the joint organisation of the 2030 World Cup with Morocco,” Pinto said.
“LIVRE will do everything in its power to ensure that the organisation of this event is not associated with a country that has shown neither competence nor reliability.”
Pinto also referred to the original proposal for the tournament, which involved Portugal, Spain and Ukraine.
“The initial proposal was for Portugal, Spain and Ukraine to organise the 2030 World Cup. For valid reasons, Ukraine left the bid and Morocco replaced it. But this option has now become impossible to sustain,” he said.
Morocco was selected as part of the successful hosting arrangement with Portugal and Spain after Ukraine’s withdrawal from the original plan. The 2030 tournament is therefore due to be staged across the three countries.
RMC reported that removing Morocco from the hosting agreement would be extremely difficult because of the limited time remaining before the competition and the continued construction and preparation of the infrastructure required for the event.
The broadcaster also said Morocco had strengthened the position of FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the latest crisis. It suggested that, while the Swiss official remains in charge of world football’s governing body, Morocco’s chances of losing its hosting rights are almost non-existent.
Indeed, RMC reported that Morocco’s prospects of securing the 2030 World Cup final could even improve, potentially at Spain’s expense.
The final venue has yet to be settled, with Morocco and Spain both linked to the showpiece match. However, the report indicated that the current political and sporting dynamics could work in Morocco’s favour.
LIVRE’s intervention comes as European countries continue to respond to the migration situation involving Ceuta. The party’s demand represents a political challenge to Morocco’s role in the tournament, but the practical obstacles to changing the hosting agreement appear substantial.
With infrastructure projects already under way and preparations continuing across the three host countries, any decision to alter Morocco’s involvement would require significant changes to the existing plans.
