2030 World Cup final sparks new dispute between Morocco, Spain

A new dispute has emerged between Morocco and Spain over the 2030 World Cup final after Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, claimed that the showpiece match would be held at the new Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane, near Casablanca, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

“The province of Benslimane will have the honor of hosting the 2030 World Cup final,” Lekjaa said during a political event in Morocco, presenting the matter as if a decision had already been made.

However, FIFA responded by clarifying that no official decision has yet been made on the stadium that will host the final. The international football governing body reiterated that the decision would be made “in due course.” FIFA had previously denied reports that its president, Gianni Infantino, had promised Morocco the right to host the final.

Spain is also seeking to host the decisive match. Spanish Football Federation President Rafael Louzán has argued that Spain should stage the final. Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu and Barcelona’s Camp Nou are among the venues Spain could put forward.

Meanwhile, Morocco is building the Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane, around 60 kilometers from Casablanca. The venue is expected to have a capacity of approximately 115,000 spectators and, if completed as planned, would become the world’s largest stadium built specifically for football.

The competition to host the final also comes against the backdrop of a complex relationship between Spain and Morocco. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has maintained close ties with Moroccan authorities, while the governing body has denied that any secret agreement exists regarding the final.

The 2030 World Cup will be hosted primarily by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, while centenary celebration matches involving Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will be held in South America to mark 100 years since the first World Cup.

Photo: Chat GPT