Morocco and Spain Compete for 2030 FIFA World Cup Final Hosting Rights

Intense Rivalry for World Cup Final

A fierce competition is emerging between Morocco and Spain regarding the hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup final, as both nations intensify their efforts to secure the prestigious event, according to reports.

Morocco, alongside Portugal and Spain, is set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, but FIFA has yet to announce which of the three will host the final match.

Spain has expressed a strong desire to be the host for the final, while Morocco is countering this ambition by constructing a new stadium near Casablanca, which is expected to cost around USD 12 billion and accommodate 115,000 spectators.

The Hassan II Stadium, once completed by the end of next year, will be the largest football stadium globally and is Morocco's proposed site for the World Cup final, competing against two historic venues in Spain.

Spain's candidates for the final include the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, which has been renovated to hold approximately 83,000 fans, and Barcelona's Camp Nou, which is undergoing upgrades to increase its capacity to 105,000. Although parts of Camp Nou have reopened, the renovation is running behind schedule.

The lobbying efforts began in January when Rafael Louzan, president of the Spanish Football Federation, asserted Spain's intention to host the final, citing organizational challenges faced during the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco to strengthen Spain's position.

“Spain has demonstrated its organizational capabilities over many years, and thus, it will lead the 2030 World Cup and host the final match,” he stated to the press.

He also mentioned, “While Morocco is indeed undergoing significant changes, certain incidents during the Africa Cup of Nations have not only affected the tournament but also tarnished the image of global football.”

One such incident occurred during a match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat last January, which was marred by crowd disturbances and disputes involving ball boys, leading to a brief suspension of the game at the newly opened Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium, which holds 69,500 fans.

Morocco has not publicly addressed Spain's assertions, with its football federation president, Fouzi Lekjaa, stating that the decision regarding the 2030 World Cup final will be made collaboratively by FIFA and the three host nations, emphasizing that no venue has been confirmed yet.

“No decisions have been made regarding match allocations. These decisions will be made exclusively through discussions among the three host countries and FIFA,” he recently told state television.

Reports indicate that Morocco is actively working behind the scenes to secure the final for Casablanca, with the competition expected to heat up in the upcoming months.

If successful, Casablanca would become the second African city to host a World Cup final, following Johannesburg in 2010, where Spain claimed its first World Cup title. Spain last hosted the final in 1982, when Italy triumphed over West Germany 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.