Morocco has announced plans to stage the 2030 FIFA World Cup final in the Casablanca area, although FIFA is yet to officially approve the venue for the tournament’s decisive match.
The President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, made the announcement on Thursday during a political party event in Bouznika, according to Reuters.
Lekjaa, as quoted by Spanish news agency EFE, said the final would be held in Benslimane province, about 60 kilometres from Casablanca.
“The province of Benslimane will have the honour of hosting the 2030 World Cup final,” Lekjaa said.
The proposed venue is the Hassan II Stadium, currently under construction in Benslimane. The facility is projected to accommodate 115,000 spectators, potentially making it the world’s largest football-specific stadium. The stadium project is estimated to cost $12bn.
However, FIFA has not yet confirmed the location of the final. Morocco and Spain are both lobbying to host the showpiece fixture, with Spanish Football Federation president Rafael Louzán saying earlier this month that Spain should be awarded the match.
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The disagreement follows FIFA’s statement in August rejecting reports that its President, Gianni Infantino, had already promised Morocco the final, describing such claims as “false and misleading”.
The venue dispute is unfolding as preparations advance for the 2030 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal. FIFA formally confirmed the three nations as hosts in December 2024.
As part of the tournament’s centenary celebrations, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will each host one match. The arrangement will see the competition spread across six countries and three continents, commemorating 100 years since Uruguay hosted the inaugural World Cup in 1930.
The opening three fixtures are planned for Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay, after which the bulk of the tournament will take place in Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
FIFA has yet to determine all the cities that will stage matches, while the battle between Morocco and Spain over the final has become one of the major disagreements surrounding the tournament.
Reuters said it contacted FIFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation for comment.