FIFA has swiftly rejected claims by Morocco’s football federation president that his country will host the 2030 World Cup final. The decision, according to the world football governing body, hasn’t been made yet.
Fouzi Lekjaa, head of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, told a political rally on September 10 that Benslimane would host the final match. He was emphatic about it. “The city of Benslimane will host the World Cup final. Hate it or love it, and if anyone wants to talk on top of that, let them talk,” Lekjaa said, referencing the massive King Hassan II Stadium currently under construction near Casablanca.
The stadium is certainly impressive. When completed, it’ll seat 115,000 spectators, making it one of the world’s largest football venues. But will it host the final?
FIFA responded quickly through multiple news outlets, stating that a host venue for the final will be decided “in due course.” Morocco will co-host the 2030 tournament alongside Spain and Portugal, marking only the second time an African nation has hosted World Cup matches since South Africa in 2010.
The timing of Lekjaa’s announcement, coming before the 2027 FIFA presidential election, has raised eyebrows about possible political motivations behind the premature declaration.
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