The president of the Higher Sports Council (CSD), José Manuel Uribes, sent a letter to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, proposing Valencia and Vigo as hosts for the 2030 World Cup, contrary to what the Spanish federation decided.

Request for explanations

The venues hosting the 2030 World Cup remain a topic of discussion. The exclusion of Balaídos and Nou Mestalla has sparked significant controversy. To the extent that the Valencian Generalitat has already approached the RFEF for explanations to understand the reasons for this decision firsthand. The stadiums were chosen by the federation, but this does not prevent the CSD, through its president José Manuel Uribes, from expressing his opinion on the exclusion of the stadiums of Celta Vigo and Valencia. Consequently, Uribes sent a letter to the FIFA Secretary General, explaining the decision made by the RFEF at the federal level.

© Valencia CF | Design of Nou Mestalla

Particular significance

The Higher Sports Council is aware that the selection by the Royal Spanish Football Federation overlooks the organization of matches for these great championships (and thus the distribution of economic, social, and even emotional benefits) in two remarkable cities, Valencia and Vigo, whose historical and deserved clubs play in the top division, explains the CSD president in the letter. He is of the opinion that eleven venues (the nine selected and these two) also provide a guarantee of response to any eventuality that may arise in the future, over the next six years, regarding the total venues making up the candidacy of Spain, Morocco, and Portugal.

As a government, we have an obligation to anticipate solutions and think about the general interest, the common good, and the impact of the 2030 World Cup, which, as can be seen, will not only concern football but also employment and economic and urban development; a development that will be sustainable, in line with our commitment, he concludes.

Official candidacies in the form of a project called the Bid Book must be submitted by July 31. This document must then be approved by FIFA.

© Miguel Ciołczyk Garcia | Estadio Abanca Balaídos