FIFA Refutes Morocco's Assertion on World Cup Final Location
In a bold statement, the president of the Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, has declared that the prestigious final match of the 2030 FIFA World Cup is set to take place in Morocco. This announcement, made during a public meeting, has ignited a wave of speculation and debate regarding the final's true location. Lekjaa confidently stated, "Benslimane province will host the World Cup final, whether some people like it or not," asserting Morocco's claim amidst a backdrop of shared hosting with Spain and Portugal.
However, FIFA has promptly countered this declaration, emphasizing that no definitive decision regarding the final’s venue has been made. A spokesperson from FIFA reiterated that a decision will be announced "in due course," a statement that seems to cast doubt on Morocco's claims. The upcoming tournament is being co-hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, and the competition to secure the final is heating up, with prospective venues including Madrid's iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and a proposed 115,000-seat facility in Benslimane, near Casablanca.
The situation has also drawn reactions from Spain, where Real Madrid's head coach, José Mourinho, has weighed in, advocating for the Santiago Bernabéu as the optimal location for the final. Mourinho expressed his desire for the final to be held in Lisbon but acknowledged the significance of hosting a World Cup match in Spain. He praised the Bernabéu as a legendary venue, stating, "If you can play in a legendary, historic stadium, where some of the greatest players in history have played, then I think it should be here," reinforcing the competitive stakes surrounding the final match's location.
As reported by iol.co.za.
