Morocco Unilaterally Declares 2030 World Cup Final Venue, FIFA Refutes Claim
Best News Desk
১১-৯-২০২৬ দুপুর ২:৫০
Morocco Unilaterally Declares 2030 World Cup Final Venue, FIFA Refutes Claim
Tensions between 2030 FIFA World Cup co-hosts Spain and Morocco have flared once again after the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) unilaterally announced Casablanca's Grand Stade Hassan II as the venue for the tournament's final, prompting an immediate clarification from FIFA stating that no final decision has been reached.
Speaking to Spanish news agency EFE on Thursday, FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa asserted that the under-construction stadium in Benslimane, on the outskirts of Casablanca, would host the showpiece match. "Benslimane will host the World Cup final, whether people like it or not. The city is Benslimane, the venue is Hassan II Stadium, and I hope Morocco plays in the final there," Lekjaa declared.
However, a FIFA spokesperson told EFE that the world football governing body maintains its position announced on August 5, emphasizing that venue allocations will be officially decided and disclosed "in due course." FIFA also dismissed reports suggesting that hosting rights for the final were promised to Morocco in exchange for supporting FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the upcoming March elections.
The Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane is being designed with a planned seating capacity of 115,000. In response, Spain continues to champion its iconic venues for the final, including FC Barcelona's renovated Spotify Camp Nou—set to accommodate 105,000 spectators—and Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu, which currently seats 78,297.
Earlier this week, Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Rafael Louzán reiterated Spain's bid, arguing that as the reigning men's and women's world champions, Spain holds the strongest claim to host the final.
The 2030 World Cup is set to be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay hosting three opening centenary matches to commemorate 100 years since the inaugural 1930 tournament in Montevideo. However, the venue dispute highlights broader diplomatic frictions between Madrid and Rabat, including ongoing border disputes and recent security incidents surrounding Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta.
Best News Desk
১১-৯-২০২৬ দুপুর ২:৫০
Tensions between 2030 FIFA World Cup co-hosts Spain and Morocco have flared once again after the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) unilaterally announced Casablanca's Grand Stade Hassan II as the venue for the tournament's final, prompting an immediate clarification from FIFA stating that no final decision has been reached.
Speaking to Spanish news agency EFE on Thursday, FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa asserted that the under-construction stadium in Benslimane, on the outskirts of Casablanca, would host the showpiece match. "Benslimane will host the World Cup final, whether people like it or not. The city is Benslimane, the venue is Hassan II Stadium, and I hope Morocco plays in the final there," Lekjaa declared.
However, a FIFA spokesperson told EFE that the world football governing body maintains its position announced on August 5, emphasizing that venue allocations will be officially decided and disclosed "in due course." FIFA also dismissed reports suggesting that hosting rights for the final were promised to Morocco in exchange for supporting FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the upcoming March elections.
The Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane is being designed with a planned seating capacity of 115,000. In response, Spain continues to champion its iconic venues for the final, including FC Barcelona's renovated Spotify Camp Nou—set to accommodate 105,000 spectators—and Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu, which currently seats 78,297.
Earlier this week, Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Rafael Louzán reiterated Spain's bid, arguing that as the reigning men's and women's world champions, Spain holds the strongest claim to host the final.
The 2030 World Cup is set to be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay hosting three opening centenary matches to commemorate 100 years since the inaugural 1930 tournament in Montevideo. However, the venue dispute highlights broader diplomatic frictions between Madrid and Rabat, including ongoing border disputes and recent security incidents surrounding Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta.
