Morocco is optimistic that the final match of the 2030 World Cup will take place at the upcoming Grand Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane, located within the Casablanca region. This assertion was made by Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Moroccan Football Federation, according to reports from EFE. However, the FIFA organization has intervened to clarify that no decision has yet been made regarding the final's location.
The escalating tension across the Strait of Gibraltar continues to intensify as the competition between **Spain and Morocco to host the 2030 World Cup final** enters a new chapter. Fouzi Lekjaa has confidently proclaimed that the championship match will be held in Benslimane, where the Grand Hassan II Stadium is currently under construction. "The province of Benslimane will have the honor of hosting the final of the 2030 World Cup," Lekjaa stated during an electoral event in Buznika, just outside Rabat. His dual role as both the federation president and the minister of budget in Morocco grants him significant political influence within the country.
In stark contrast to Lekjaa's declarations, FIFA quickly dampened these expectations, asserting that the final venue has not yet been assigned. As reported by _Marca_, the international body emphasized that "the decision will be made by FIFA in due time." Similarly, _Reuters_ received a consistent message from a spokesperson for the world's governing football body, reiterating that no decisions have been finalized.
This situation unfolds amidst a governance crisis within FIFA and its president, **Gianni Infantino**, following a controversial attempt to open parts of the organization’s commercial assets to private investors, including those related to the World Cup. The **African Football Confederation (CAF)**, to which Morocco belongs, has rallied in support of Infantino, while **UEFA, AFC, and CONCACAF** have criticized his administration. This support from African nations coincides with the contest for the 2030 final, although there is no concrete evidence linking the two matters.
The Moroccan Proposal and Aspirations
Morocco's ambitions are largely centered around the **Grand Hassan II Stadium**, which is currently being built in Benslimane, approximately 60 kilometers from Casablanca. The stadium is projected to have a capacity of **115,000 spectators** and is expected to open its doors by the end of **2027**, with an estimated investment of around **$1 billion**, according to EFE. _Reuters_ also reports similar figures regarding the investment.
The enormity of this facility, designed with the World Cup in mind, positions it as Morocco's primary asset in the race to host the final. In contrast, Spain is advocating for the significance of the **Santiago Bernabéu Stadium** in the joint organization of the tournament. The president of the **Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)**, **Rafael Louzán**, has also publicly argued that Spain deserves to host the decisive match. _Reuters_ notes that Louzán reiterated earlier in September that the final should be held on Spanish soil.
As of now, the only confirmed arrangement is that **Spain, Portugal, and Morocco** will handle the bulk of the organization for the 2030 World Cup, while **Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay** will host commemorative matches to celebrate the tournament's centennial. Morocco has thus increased the pressure by publicly declaring the Casablanca final as a fait accompli, while FIFA has kept the competition alive by making it clear that the final decision is yet to be made, leaving the final say on the championship match's location firmly in the hands of the international governing body.
As reported by expansion.com.
