Morocco Names Casablanca as 2030 World Cup Final Venue

Morocco has declared that the 2030 FIFA World Cup final will be staged in the Casablanca area, with Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa naming the province of Benslimane as the proposed venue.

Lekjaa said the Hassan II Stadium, currently under construction in Benslimane, about 60 kilometres from Casablanca, would have the honour of hosting the tournament’s showpiece match.

His announcement has intensified the contest between Morocco and Spain over the right to host the final of the expanded 2030 World Cup.

However, FIFA has not officially awarded the final to Morocco. The world football governing body said its decision on the venue would be made in due course.

The Hassan II Stadium is being built at an estimated cost of about $1 billion and is projected to accommodate 115,000 spectators. If completed as planned, it would become the world’s largest football-specific stadium.

Morocco, Spain and Portugal are the principal hosts of the 2030 World Cup, while Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will stage the opening matches as part of celebrations marking the centenary of the first World Cup.

Spain is also campaigning strongly to host the final. Spanish football federation president Rafael Louzán has argued that the country should stage the decisive match, pointing to Spain’s status as the reigning men’s and women’s world champions.

Potential Spanish venues include the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid and Barcelona’s Camp Nou, while Morocco is putting forward the new Hassan II Stadium.

The dispute has gained additional attention because of Morocco’s strong relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. FIFA has previously rejected reports that Infantino had already promised Morocco the final, describing such claims as false and misleading.

Lekjaa’s announcement therefore does not constitute a final FIFA decision, leaving the battle between Morocco and Spain unresolved.

The 2030 tournament will be the first World Cup to feature matches across three continents and six countries, creating a unique hosting arrangement for the centenary edition.

FIFA is expected to make the final decision on the venue at a later date, meaning the proposed Casablanca-area final remains subject to official confirmation.