In Valencia, the head of the Spanish Football Federation met with clubs and organizations to talk about DANA and the 2030 World Cup.

Valencia has received a nod from Rafael Louzán. At the Department of Education, Culture, Universities, and Employment, the newly appointed Federation President met with the València Provincial Council, the City Council of Valencia, the Higher Sports Council, the Royal Spanish Football Federation, La Liga, the Football Federation of the Valencian Community, the Esportshorta Consortium, the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation, Levante ud, Valencia CF, and Villareal CF to discuss issues pertaining to DANA, specifically the aid for the restoration of the damaged football fields and Valencia’s attendance at the 2030 World Cup.

Just minutes before the scheduled time, Louzán, who later visited Paiporta to see the New Mestalla’s construction, arrived at the meeting, which was attended by Pedro Sáiz (Levante), Roig Negueroles (Villarreal), Inma Ibáñez (Valencia), Salvador Gomar (President of FFCV), and Luis Cervera (Director General of Sport).

The president of the Federation stated that he is “completely convinced that Valencia will host the 2030 World Cup.” “Everyone is aware of the dates, the process, and other details. I am just another Valencian here, in this sense. Valencia should host the World Cup, in my opinion. Since no other ongoing project compares to the features of the New Mestalla, Valencia will have the most up-to-date stadium when it opens. I stand before you all as the first ally to declare that this wonderful city and this community cannot be excluded from the World Cup.

That’s what I think will happen. Since the Royal Spanish Football Federation has made this commitment, I have shared it with the Director General of Sports. During his news conference, he gave the assurance that “we are going to work towards this, and we have already made some progress.”

Furthermore, one of the RFEF’s main pledges is to promptly address the aid plan for the reconstruction of football fields impacted by DANA. Louzán stressed that “I wanted to personally be here today in Valencia to show my commitment and solidarity with all the families that are still suffering from what happened with DANA” .

“I wanted to be here personally to understand the situation. We will be on-site in Paiporta to assess a field that is curiously owned by the Spanish Football Federation. We are going to attempt to implement specific actions. It’s true that, from what I have seen today, football has already acted. I want to thank Villarreal for starting concrete actions, also Valencia and, of course, Levante. Also, thanks to La Liga for being present in this meeting. Luis Cervera is making a great effort to coordinate because when these things happen, people need a response and precision, which is what I requested at the table today,” he stated.

First, the men’s and women’s national teams will play in Valencia in February and March at Mestalla and the Ciutat de València: “From the Federation, we have activated the mechanisms we have—specifically the strong Spain brand, in this case our National Team—to ensure they will be in Valencia in February and March. Now we want to roll up our sleeves regarding aid, starting with Paiporta, where we own the field in question, to see how that facility can look in the future. The world of football must provide a response.”