FIFA denies decision to hold 2030 World Cup final in Casablanca

FIFA has denied reports that it has selected Casablanca, Morocco, to host the final of the 2030 World Cup.

The clarification followed comments by the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, who said the final would be played at the proposed Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane, near Casablanca.

However, FIFA said no decision had been made on the venue for the final, adding that the matter would be decided at a later date.

The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, while Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will host the opening matches as part of celebrations marking the centenary of the first World Cup.

The venue for the final has become a subject of competition between Morocco and Spain, with both countries seeking to host the tournament’s last match.

Morocco is proposing the Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane, which is currently under construction and is expected to have a capacity of about 115,000 spectators.

Spain, meanwhile, has indicated that it wants the final to be held at one of its major stadiums, with the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid among the venues being discussed.

The latest clarification from FIFA means the final venue remains undecided, despite the Moroccan federation chief’s earlier announcement.