The 2030 World Cup final is turning into a battle between Morocco and Spain. Morocco, Spain and Portugal will co-host the tournament, while Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will each host one opening match to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup in 1930.
FIFA has not yet decided which stadium will host the final. Morocco has been pushing for the final to be played at the new Grand Stade Hassan II near Casablanca, which is planned to become one of the biggest football stadiums in the world.
But Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has told football federation president Fouzi Lekjaa to stop making promises about the final because the decision must involve Spain and Portugal.
Spain also wants to host the final and believes it has a strong case because of its modern stadiums, infrastructure, and experience in hosting major sporting events.
“Do not offer to host the big final game in Morocco while we still have not discussed the matter with our allies, Spain and Portugal.
“There should be some respect, brothers. Stop using electoral promises to pull the rug out from under us. These are huge matters. Deciding where the final will be held is a major issue.”
“Even though no decision has been taken, I believe Spain is the place because it cannot be any other way. As you know, we are currently world champions.
“I believe Spain’s organisational capacity for major events is beyond question and that is why reality dictates that the grand final cannot and must not be held anywhere other than in Spain.”
Morocco is building the Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane, near Casablanca, and the stadium is expected to hold about 115,000 fans. If completed as planned, it would be the largest football stadium in the world, bigger than Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, which can hold around 83,000 spectators.
FIFA has not yet decided which stadium will host the final. FIFA has said the decision will be made “in due course,” but it has not announced an official date for the decision.
Reports suggest FIFA could make the decision closer to the tournament, possibly in 2027 or 2028.
