Moroccan official told to stop making 2030 final promise
September 11, 2026 18:58
Morocco’s prime minister publicly told the president of the Moroccan football federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, to stop promising that Morocco would stage the 2030 World Cup final after Lekjaa said Casablanca would have that “honour.” The remark came at a political event and prompted a rebuke that such commitments must be cleared with Spain and Portugal, the other European co-hosts.
Spain’s federation president, Rafael Louzan, has meanwhile insisted the final should be played in Spain, citing the country’s recent World Cup victory as reinforcing their case. FIFA has said the decision on the final’s location will be taken “in due course.”
KEY CONTEXT
- The 2030 men’s World Cup is a multi-nation event: matches will be hosted across Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with the opening three fixtures scheduled in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to mark the tournament’s 100th anniversary.
- A proposed list of host stadiums exists but the final lineup — including the site for the showpiece match — has not been settled.
- Morocco is planning a new stadium with an estimated 115,000 capacity; by comparison Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu holds about 83,000 and Barcelona’s Camp Nou is expected to reach 105,000 once renovations finish.
- Fouzi Lekjaa was pictured alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino during this summer’s World Cup, which was hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
WHY IT MATTERS
The row highlights tensions that can arise when multiple countries share hosting duties: public claims by a national federation risk complicating coordinated planning and diplomacy among co-hosts. Stadium size and recent sporting prestige (Spain are the current world champions) are being used as part of the case for where the final should be held, underlining that infrastructure and national standing are central to the decision-making process.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- FIFA’s formal announcement on the final venue, which the governing body says will come in due course.
- Any formal discussions or agreements between Morocco, Spain and Portugal to settle the final’s location and the confirmed list of stadiums.
- Progress on Morocco’s proposed 115,000-seat stadium and the completion schedules for major Spanish venues referenced in the debate.
KEY FACTS
- 2030 World Cup co-hosts: Morocco, Spain and Portugal; opening three matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
- Fouzi Lekjaa publicly claimed Casablanca would host the final; Morocco’s prime minister told him to desist from such promises until allies are consulted.
- FIFA: decision on the final’s location has not yet been made.
- Spain’s federation president has said the final should be held in Spain and has cited Spain’s status as world champions.
- Proposed Moroccan stadium capacity: 115,000; Santiago Bernabéu: ~83,000; Camp Nou (post-renovation): ~105,000.