The FIFA organization has officially refuted statements made by Morocco regarding a predetermined decision on the location of the 2030 World Cup final. In a statement released on Friday, FIFA emphasized that the final venue would be determined at an appropriate time, dispelling any notions of an already established site.
This clarification comes in response to remarks from Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Moroccan Football Federation, who had previously announced that the final match would be hosted in Morocco. The 2030 World Cup is set to take place across three continents, with the majority of matches scheduled to be played in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
Currently, the most prominent contenders for hosting the final are the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid and a newly proposed stadium in Benslimane, near Casablanca, which will boast a capacity of 115,000 spectators. During a public event in the Benslimane region, Lekjaa asserted, "The province of Benslimane will host the World Cup final, regardless of whether some people approve or not." However, FIFA's spokesperson contradicted this assertion, stating, "As communicated on August 5, 2026, a decision will be made by FIFA in due course," while speaking to the AFP news agency.
This controversy has also sparked reactions on the Iberian Peninsula, notably from Real Madrid's head coach, Jose Mourinho, who expressed his support for the Santiago Bernabéu as the final's venue. Mourinho remarked, "I would love to see a final in Lisbon, but I am just pleased that a country like ours will host at least one match." He further commented on the significance of the Bernabéu, stating, "When you can play in a legendary, historic stadium where some of the greatest players in history have played, in the home of the most important club in football history, it should be held here."
As reported by sport1.de.
