The contest between Morocco and Spain to host the 2030 World Cup final has become increasingly strained, with political pressure now adding to the dispute.
Morocco, Spain and Portugal will jointly stage the tournament, but the venue for the final remains a major point of disagreement.
Morocco’s proposed Hassan II Stadium is among the leading candidates. With a planned capacity of about 115,000, it would become the world’s largest football stadium when it is expected to open in 2029.
Spain, meanwhile, is seeking to host the showpiece match and can point to several major venues, including Santiago Bernabeu and Camp Nou.
FIFA said in September that the location of the final would be decided “in due course”. The governing body also said it had begun visiting candidate cities in Spain, Portugal and Morocco during November to assess their suitability for hosting matches.
Spain insists final must be on its soil
Spain has stepped up its campaign in recent months, with senior figures repeatedly arguing that the final should be held there.
Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, launched a strong criticism of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, claiming that Morocco would host the final if Infantino remained in his position.
Tebas was angered by comments from Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation, who said the 2030 final would take place in Casablanca. Tebas argued that FIFA frequently denied media reports even when they were accurate.
“Lekjaa says the final will be played in Casablanca, while FIFA says that is not true,” Tebas said. “So who is lying? Is it the president of a federation organising the tournament and a member of the FIFA Council? Or should we once again believe the official denial issued by FIFA and Infantino?”
Rafael Louzan, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, said the organisation was doing everything possible to secure the final for Spain. He described the country hosting the match as logical and beyond dispute.
Threat of Spanish withdrawal
As reports suggested Morocco was moving closer to securing the final, the argument took a more serious turn, with the possibility of Spain withdrawing from the tournament’s organisation being raised.
The issue has become political in Spain ahead of the general election scheduled for 29 November. Parties and prominent figures have increasingly clashed over whether Spain is entitled to stage the final.
Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the opposition People’s Party, said he would be prepared to push for Spain to withdraw from organising the 2030 World Cup if FIFA awarded the final to Morocco.
“It is obvious that Spain should host this event,” Feijoo said. “Spain must host the World Cup final. If that does not happen, then in my view Spain should not take part in organising the World Cup.”
Asked whether he would seek to remove Spain from the tournament’s organisation if he came to power, he replied: “Yes, the answer is yes.”
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, his Socialist rival, said in a September interview with Cadena SER that he was “working to ensure the final is held in Spain”.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has also said at a news conference that he had already made his position clear: “The final should be played in Spain.”
Morocco continues to pursue the match and is working to complete the Hassan II Stadium. Lekjaa has previously said Benslimane Province would have the honour of hosting the final, while expressing hope that Morocco would also reach the match.
Morocco argues that no partner should use historical precedence or organisational experience to impose authority over the others, and says it deserves a fair opportunity because of its organisational capacity and geographical position.
Reports in Morocco say Lekjaa is preparing to reorganise his responsibilities within African football. He is expected to resign as chair of the Confederation of African Football’s finance committee while remaining its first vice-president, allowing him to focus more closely on sporting and government duties in Morocco and preparations for the 2030 World Cup.
