FIFA Challenges Morocco's Assertion on World Cup Final Location
The debate surrounding the location of the 2030 FIFA World Cup final has ignited a heated dispute, particularly after Morocco made claims about hosting the prestigious match. The FIFA organization has firmly rejected assertions from Morocco regarding a purported decision that had already been made about the final's venue. According to FIFA, an official determination regarding the final match's location will be communicated at an appropriate time.
Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Moroccan Football Federation, had previously announced that the final match of the World Cup would take place in Morocco. The 2030 World Cup is set to be a multi-continental event, with matches planned across three continents, primarily in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Currently, the two most likely candidates for hosting the final are the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid and a new stadium with a capacity of 115,000 located in Benslimane, near Casablanca. During a public event, Lekjaa asserted, "The province of Benslimane will host the World Cup final, whether some people like it or not." However, FIFA's response contradicted this claim, with a spokesperson stating, "As communicated on August 5, 2026, a decision will be made by FIFA in due course."
The discussion surrounding the final's location has also prompted reactions from the Iberian Peninsula. Notably, Real Madrid's coach, Jose Mourinho, endorsed the Santiago Bernabeu as a fitting venue for the final. "I would love to see a final in Lisbon, but I am pleased that a country like ours will host at least one match," he remarked. He further emphasized the historic significance of the Bernabeu Stadium, saying, "When you can play in a legendary, historical stadium where some of the greatest players in history have played, in the stadium of the most important club in football history, it should be here."
As reported by n-tv.de.
