Spain fears handling of kissing scandal may affect 2030 World Cup bid

The 2030 World Cup is on the horizon for the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). For months, the RFEF, together with their counterparts in Portugal and Morocco, have been working hard with the hope of having their joint bid to host the event accepted. However, the scandal generated in recent days by Luis Rubiales’ conduct during the recent Women’s World Cup final has weakened Spain’s image in the eyes of FIFA. In fact, world football’s governing body has already announced that its Disciplinary Commission has opened a disciplinary procedure against the disgraced RFEF president.

Rubiales’ continuity at the RFEF could be disastrous in view of the goal of achieving the 2030 World Cup due to fear of reprisals from FIFA, but his possible departure would also mean a major setback since he personally led the Spanish candidacy, which has been backed by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, a personal friend of his. However, sources close to the RFEF believe that there is still plenty of time for FIFA to make a decision and the difficult situation the Spanish federation is currently experiencing should not be an obstacle to achieving the objective.

Next month, the 11 venues that Spain will present in its candidacy should be established. From September 2023 to April 2024, the final dossier of the candidacy must be submitted to FIFA. After that process, FIFA will convene an extraordinary congress in which it will announce where the 2030 World Cup, the 24th edition of the tournament, will be held.