April 10 – To be a host city for FIFA World Cup matches is a dream for many communities, but not for the beautiful Basque city of San Sebastián which has asked FIFA to withdraw its name as a venue for the 2030 edition of the men’s World Cup.
A letter signed by residents and associations around San Sebastián’s historic centre said that “hosting the FIFA World Cup will only worsen living conditions in our city,” adding that it would “further exacerbate the touristification” of the area.
Over the last two decades, San Sebastián has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain due to its Michelin-star restaurants, superb pintxo bars, and the stunning La Concha beach.
“Residents are being pushed out of the city, public spaces are being reshaped according to commercial interests, infrastructure is being designed to meet the needs of the tourism industry, and the local language and culture are being fetishised for marketing purposes,” the letter added.
“The effects of this mega-event on most of the population are dramatic: the worsening of the housing crisis, the increase in tourist activity, the commodification of urban space, the development of unsustainable transport infrastructure and the implementation of security-driven measures that will constrain daily life.”
The associations said their call to FIFA was part of a wider push. “Tourism in our city has already had a major impact on daily life, causing serious harm,” the letter continued.
“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.”
However, Mayor of San Sebastián Eneko Goia isn’t onboard with his residents. “I honestly don’t share that point of view,” he said, arguing that residents should be proud of San Sebastián’s longstanding success when it comes to organising sporting events.
“If it was up to them, the city would have zero international profile.”
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1744956455labto1744956455ofdlr1744956455owedi1744956455sni@o1744956455fni1744956455