Vinicius Junior Calls for Spain to Lose 2030 World Cup Hosting Rights Unless Racism Issues Are Addressed

Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior has urged that Spain should be stripped of its 2030 World Cup hosting rights if the country fails to make significant progress in addressing racism in its stadiums.

Vinicius, who plays for Real Madrid and has frequently faced racist abuse from fans during La Liga matches, expressed his concerns in an interview with CNN on Tuesday. He emphasized the need for Spain to improve societal attitudes towards racism before the World Cup.

"Until 2030, there is a lot of room for improvement, so I hope that Spain can evolve and understand how serious it is to insult someone because of the colour of their skin," said the 24-year-old striker.

"If by 2030 things don't improve, I think we have to move the location because if a player doesn't feel comfortable and safe playing in a country where they can suffer racism, it's a bit difficult," he added.

Vinicius's remarks have sparked controversy in Spain, which is set to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Morocco, with additional matches scheduled to be held in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Spain's stance has been defended by Vinicius's Real Madrid teammate Dani Carvajal, who stated at a news conference on Wednesday that Spain "does not deserve to be deprived of the World Cup." Carvajal acknowledged Vinicius's experiences but noted that La Liga is working on improvements and protocols to address such issues.

Spain's national team coach Luis de la Fuente supported Carvajal's view, asserting that while there are individuals with prejudiced views, Spain is a nation that exemplifies coexistence and integration.

Madrid's conservative mayor, Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, criticized Vinicius's comments as "deeply unfair" and called for an apology from the player.

In June, a Spanish court sentenced three Valencia fans to eight-month jail terms for racist abuse directed at Vinicius Junior during a La Liga match last year, marking Spain's first conviction of this kind. Additionally, in July, another individual received an eight-month suspended jail term for online racist abuse targeting Vinicius and his German Real Madrid teammate Antonio Rudiger.