Morocco’s prime minister has urged the football federation’s president to stop declaring Casablanca the venue for the 2030 World Cup final while Spain and Portugal still have a say in the decision.
Morocco will co-host the next men’s World Cup with Spain and Portugal, with the opening three matches scheduled for Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to commemorate the tournament’s centenary.
A proposed list of host stadiums has been submitted, but the final selection and the location of the tournament decider have yet to be confirmed.
Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF), said at a political party event that Casablanca would be honoured to host the final.
Fifa, the sport’s governing body and the World Cup’s organiser, said a decision would be announced at the appropriate time.
At a rally, Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch told Lekjaa: “Do not offer to host the big final game in Morocco while we still have not discussed the matter with our allies, Spain and Portugal.”
“There should be some respect, brothers. Stop using electoral promises to pull the rug out from under us. These are huge matters. Deciding where the final will be held is a major issue.”
Rafael Louzan, president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has previously said the final should be held in Spain and argued that Spain’s men’s World Cup victory this summer strengthened its case.
“Even though no decision has been taken, I believe Spain is the place because it cannot be any other way,” he told Cadena SER. “As you know, we are currently world champions.
“I believe Spain’s organisational capacity for major events is beyond question, which is why reality dictates that the grand final cannot and must not be held anywhere other than in Spain.”
Spain defeated Argentina to win this year’s World Cup in July, although New Jersey was not confirmed as the final’s host until February 2024, two years before the tournament.
Morocco is building a proposed 115,000-seat stadium that would become the largest football stadium in the world.
In Spain, Real Madrid’s renovated Bernabeu Stadium now holds 83,000 spectators, while Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou will have a capacity of 105,000 once its renovations are complete.
