FIFA: Venue for the 2030 World Cup Final Will Be Decided in Due Course
Amman2 min read
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The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) confirmed on Friday that the venue for the 2030 World Cup final will be decided "in due course," in response to statements by the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, in which he asserted that it would take place in Morocco.
Spain and Morocco, co-organizers of the 2030 edition alongside Portugal, are competing for the honor of hosting the final match. Madrid is banking on the legendary status of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, the home of Real Madrid, while Rabat is counting on a project to build a new stadium with a capacity of around 115,000 spectators in Benslimane, on the outskirts of the economic capital, Casablanca.
In this context, Lekjaa asserted on Wednesday that this global event will take place in his country, saying during a public meeting organized in the same region, according to a video clip published by local media including the weekly magazine "TelQuel": "The Benslimane province will host the World Cup final, whether people like it or not."
However, the international governing body confirmed on Friday that no decision has been made yet.
A spokesperson for the global football body said: "As announced on August 5, 2026, FIFA will make its decision in due course."
At a time when points of disagreement between the two neighboring kingdoms are increasing, Lekjaa's statements have sparked reactions in Spain.
Portuguese coach of Real Madrid José Mourinho was asked about the matter during a press conference on Friday, and he in turn expressed his support for the Santiago Bernabéu stadium to host the final match.
The Portuguese coach said: "I would have preferred for the final match to be played in Lisbon, but I am already happy that a country like ours will host at least one match" in the World Cup.
He added: "If you can play in a legendary and historical stadium that has witnessed the brilliance of some of the best players in history, and which is the stadium of the most important club in the history of football, I think the final should be played here," in Madrid.
He continued: "If I were the coach of Benfica, I would tell you the exact same thing."
