Mustapha Hadji said he wants the 2030 World Cup final to be held in Morocco. Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal, while Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will each stage one match to mark 100 years since the competition began.
Hadji sets out his preference
Speaking in a filmed interview with Kooora to be published later, Hadji said: "Of course I want the final to be held in Morocco, in Casablanca or Rabat, especially as we have the capabilities that qualify us for it"
Hadji said: "I want to see the World Cup final held in Africa for a second time after the first time, which was in South Africa in 2010."
Hadji also said: "I believe the time has come to raise the African banner"
Competing plans for the final
GOAL reported that Morocco and Spain are competing to host the final.
GOAL reported that Spanish media are pushing for the final to be held at the Santiago Bernabeu.
GOAL reported that Morocco want the final at the Hassan II Grand Stadium, which is under construction in Benslimane Province near Casablanca.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said that "the World Cup final must be held at a legendary stadium like the Santiago Bernabeu"
Hadji's comments on racism
Asked about the Spanish push to host the final despite the recent storm over racism in Spanish stadiums, Hadji said: "Yes, frankly I see that there is racism, and they are also practising racism when they demand that the match be kept away from Africa despite it being held more than once in Europe and the United States"
His view of Morocco's case
Hadji said: "Yes, Moroccan football officials have been working since 2012 on more than one front to develop the game, and today we have all the credentials, to the point that dual-nationality players active in the European leagues are asking to play for Morocco"
