San Sebastián Neighbourhood Groups Urge FIFA to Withdraw 2030 World Cup Venue

San Sebastián, Spain — Six neighbourhood associations in San Sebastián have formally requested FIFA to withdraw its decision to include the city as a venue for the 2030 Men’s World Cup. The letter, which the city’s mayor criticized on Tuesday, is rooted in growing concerns about tourism’s impact on local life.

The request comes three months after San Sebastián was named among 11 venues for the tournament, which will take place across Spain, Morocco, and Portugal. The letter emphasizes that hosting the World Cup would further deteriorate living conditions in the city, contributing to what locals describe as the increasing ‘touristification’ of their environment.

According to the associations, the number of tourists visiting San Sebastián increased by 78% from 2015 to 2024. They argue that the consequences of tourism have been “brutal.” In their letter, they stated, “Residents are being pushed out of the city, public spaces are being reshaped according to commercial interests, and infrastructure is being designed to meet the needs of the tourism industry.”

Anger over the ongoing changes prompted residents to take to the streets in late October to protest, following up on previous demonstrations against rising tourist numbers that occurred last year. The associations fear that the arrival of an event as large as the World Cup would exacerbate these issues while benefiting only a small group of businesses and investors.

<p“The effects of this mega-event on most of the population are dramatic,” the letter continues, highlighting increased tourist activity, worsening housing crises, and the commodification of urban spaces. “We therefore believe it is urgent to follow the path of tourism degrowth, and hosting events like the FIFA World Cup moves us in precisely the opposite direction.”

Although FIFA has not responded to the letter, San Sebastián Mayor Eneko Goia distanced himself from the sentiment expressed by the associations. “I honestly don’t share that point of view,” Goia stated, adding that he believes residents should take pride in the city’s history of successfully hosting sporting events. “If it was up to them, the city would have zero international profile.”

This ongoing debate reflects a broader tension in many Spanish cities as they balance tourism-driven economic growth against the needs and desires of local residents. Protests advocating for reduced tourism have been echoed in regions such as Málaga and the Canary Islands, where citizens are increasingly vocal about the adverse effects of mass tourism on their communities.