Spain, Portugal weigh withdrawing as 2030 World Cup hosts amid UEFA boycott

Spain and Portugal are considering relinquishing their roles as co-hosts of the 2030 FIFA World Cup in support of a boycott announced by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), according to Spanish media outlet El Español.

The report says the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Portuguese Football Federation are prepared to back UEFA's decision to boycott FIFA tournaments.

The 2030 World Cup is currently scheduled to be hosted jointly by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with the tournament's opening matches due to take place in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to commemorate the centenary of the first FIFA World Cup.

The reported move follows UEFA's announcement on July 30 that it would boycott FIFA competitions. While the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) did not join the boycott, it criticised FIFA's proposed commercial initiative.

The dispute comes after reports that FIFA President Gianni Infantino plans to sell a stake in the commercial rights associated with the FIFA World Cup to outside investors.

By Sabina Mammadli