The countdown to the **2026 World Cup** is underway, and discussions are intensifying regarding the host city for the final match of the upcoming tournament, which will be jointly organized by **Spain**, **Portugal**, and **Morocco**. For several months, it seemed almost certain that the final would take place at either the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium or the Spotify Camp Nou, two of Spain's most iconic venues. The Bernabéu, located in the heart of Madrid, has the advantage of being in the capital, while Camp Nou boasts a larger seating capacity, making both stadiums strong contenders.
However, Morocco is not backing down and has been actively lobbying to shift FIFA's decision in favor of hosting the grand finale in Casablanca. To kick off their ambitious plans, Morocco has put forth a staggering investment of €1 billion to construct the **Grand Stadium Hassan II**, an extraordinary facility designed to accommodate up to 115,000 spectators. Importantly, Morocco's strategy extends beyond mere financial investment; it also involves significant diplomatic efforts.
High-profile figures such as Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, and King Mohammed VI of Morocco are reportedly engaged in discussions regarding the World Cup final. According to several sources, Morocco has leveraged the influence of **Donald Trump** to sway the decision-making process in its favor. The final venue will be determined by the FIFA Council, which consists of 37 members. Notably, Morocco is believed to have secured the support of 22 votes from the confederations representing Africa, Asia, North America, and Oceania. In contrast, only the European and South American representatives appear to favor a Spanish venue.
In addition to Trump's administration, influential FIFA Council members such as Sheikh **Hamad Al Thani** from Qatar and **Yasser Al Misehal** from Saudi Arabia are expected to play a crucial role in the final decision, particularly regarding the votes from Asian representatives.
As the competition for hosting the World Cup final heats up, Spain's influence appears to be waning. Losing the final match would be a significant setback for the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which initially envisioned the tournament taking place solely in Spain. The initial plan was expanded to include Portugal, forming what is known as the _Iberian bid_, and later Morocco was added to secure the African votes against South America, where **Uruguay** leads a strong candidacy aimed at celebrating the centenary of the first World Cup held in 1930.
In a surprising move, FIFA decided to combine the bids, resulting in the 2030 World Cup being hosted across Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina—spanning three different continents. This strategic decision not only enhances the competition's global appeal but also sets the stage for the 2034 World Cup to be awarded to Asia, a move that aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia's ambitions to host the event.
As reported by elnacional.cat.
