DR ‹ › The Spanish People's Party (PP) is pushing for Ceuta to be part of the activities surrounding the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. This initiative was brought to the Senate by PP Senator Cristina Díaz, who represents Ceuta, as reported by local media. The proposal, which carries significant political weight, aims to involve Ceuta in the World Cup's ancillary activities without hosting matches or constructing new sports facilities. During Senate discussions, several speakers highlighted that, historically, non-host cities have participated in major international sports events by organizing cultural, tourism, or promotional activities, thus broadening the tournament's territorial and symbolic impact. The initiative has also garnered support from the Socialist group in the Senate. Members of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, have expressed their willingness to collaborate to ensure Ceuta is included in some capacity in the 2030 World Cup activities. However, Morocco views Ceuta, Melilla, and the surrounding islets in the western Mediterranean as occupied territories. Consequently, Rabat has consistently opposed the participation of Ceuta and Melilla's leaders in high-level meetings with Spain. It is important to note that Spanish media and political circles had previously cautioned Pedro Sanchez's government against including cities from Western Sahara in Morocco's World Cup bid.
