The dispute between Morocco and Spain over the venue for the 2030 World Cup final has intensified, with officials in both countries arguing for their country to host the match. Morocco, Spain and Portugal are jointly hosting the 2030 World Cup.
FIFA has not decided the venue
FIFA said in September that the venue for the 2030 World Cup final had not been decided and would be determined “in due course”. FIFA had begun visiting candidate cities in Spain, Portugal and Morocco in November to assess their suitability for hosting matches.
Morocco's proposed venue
Morocco's Hassan II Stadium is one of the leading candidates to host the 2030 World Cup final. It has a planned capacity of around 115,000 and is anticipated to open in 2029.
Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Federation, said: “the Benslimane province will have the honour of hosting the final”. Moroccan reports state that Lekjaa is preparing to reorganise his roles within the Confederation of African Football, potentially ending his role as president of the CAF finance committee while retaining his position as first vice-president of the continental confederation.
Spain's position
People's Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo said: “Spain must host the World Cup final. And if that does not happen, in my opinion, Spain should not take part in organising the World Cup”
Asked whether he would seek to withdraw Spain from organising the tournament if he came to power, Feijóo replied: “Yes, the answer is yes”. Spain's general elections are scheduled for 29 November.
Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told Cadena SER radio in September that he was “working to have the final match held in Spain”. Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said at a press conference that “the final match must be held in Spain”.
The Casablanca claim
La Liga president Javier Tebas said: “Lekjaa confirms that the final will be held in Casablanca, while FIFA says that is not true. So, who is the liar? Is it the president of a federation organising the tournament and a member of the FIFA Council? Or should we believe, once again, the official denial issued by FIFA and Infantino?”
