The identity of the stadium that will host the final of the 2030 FIFA World Cup remains undecided, despite the three organizing nations—Morocco, Spain, and Portugal—approaching the countdown to the tournament. The competition intensifies between Rabat and Madrid as both cities vie to host the most significant matches of the World Cup.
Morocco Bets on the New Hassan II Stadium
Morocco is placing its hopes on the newly constructed Hassan II Stadium, located near Casablanca. This ambitious project is designed to accommodate 115,000 spectators, with an estimated construction cost of about $12 billion. The stadium is expected to be completed by the end of next year, making it the largest football-specific stadium in the world. This initiative is seen as Morocco's strongest asset in the race to host the final match of the tournament.
Spain's Two Strong Contenders
On the other hand, Spain is determined to host the final match at one of its two prominent stadiums: the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, which will have a seating capacity of approximately 83,000 following its renovation, or the Camp Nou in Barcelona, which will accommodate 105,000 spectators once its ongoing renovation is completed. In January, the President of the Spanish Football Federation, Rafael Lozano, asserted that Spain is the most suitable candidate to host the final, emphasizing the country’s extensive experience in organizing major tournaments.
Lozano stated, "Spain has demonstrated organizational capabilities over many years, which is why Spain will lead the 2030 World Cup and host the final match of the tournament." He acknowledged that while Morocco is undergoing a transformation, certain incidents during the Africa Cup of Nations have not only harmed the tournament but also affected the global image of football.
His comments followed the unrest that marred the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in January, where Senegal claimed the title against Morocco in Rabat, an event marked by crowd disturbances and inappropriate behavior from ball collectors, alongside a temporary halt to the match.
In contrast, the President of the Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, has refrained from engaging in disputes over the bidding process, pointing out that FIFA has yet to finalize the distribution of matches. Lekjaa remarked, "No decision has been made yet regarding the distribution of matches, as these decisions are made exclusively through consultations between the three host countries and FIFA."
As reported by akhbaar24.com.
