The debate over the regularization of undocumented migrants in Spain has gained renewed momentum following Spain’s victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Several migrant rights organizations and civil society groups argue that the success of Lamine Yamal, whose father is Moroccan, highlights the value of integration policies and strengthens calls to accelerate the legalization of thousands of migrants, particularly Moroccans.
According to migrant advocates, Yamal’s rise has become a powerful example of how the children of immigrant families can make significant contributions when provided with legal stability and equal opportunities. They believe that granting secure legal status promotes social inclusion, strengthens participation in the labor market, and benefits Spain’s economy.
These calls come as the Spanish government continues implementing reforms to its immigration legislation aimed at simplifying residence and work permit procedures, expanding the Arraigo regularization mechanism, and easing administrative requirements for thousands of foreign nationals living in the country.
Moroccans represent the largest foreign community in Spain, with many working in agriculture, construction, tourism, and service industries. However, a considerable number still face uncertain legal status, making them one of the groups most directly affected by the ongoing reforms.
Civil society organizations argue that the attention surrounding Lamine Yamal’s contribution to Spain’s World Cup success provides an opportunity to emphasize that successful integration should also include faster processing of legal residency applications for eligible migrants.
At the same time, immigration remains a politically sensitive issue in Spain, with some parties and organizations supporting broader regularization and integration measures, while others advocate stricter controls on irregular migration, leaving the future of additional reforms dependent on the country’s political landscape.