Morocco's prime minister has publicly rebuked the head of the country's football federation for making unilateral declarations about hosting the 2030 World Cup final, as Spain continues to assert its own claim to stage the tournament's showpiece match. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between the three co-host nations—Morocco, Spain and Portugal—over where the decisive game will take place.
Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan football federation (RMFF), declared on 10 September 2026 at a political party event in Bouznika that Casablanca would have the "honour" of hosting the final. According to , Lekjaa specifically identified the still-under-construction Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca/Benslimane as the proposed venue.
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch responded sharply during a separate rally, instructing Lekjaa to cease making such commitments without broader consultation.
Do not offer to host the big final game in Morocco while we still have not discussed the matter with our allies, Spain and Portugal. There should be some respect, brothers. Stop using electoral promises to pull the rug out from under us. These are huge matters. Deciding where the final will be held is a major issue.
The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with an unusual arrangement that sees the opening three matches played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to commemorate the competition's centenary. While a list of host stadiums has been proposed, neither the complete stadium line-up nor the final venue has been officially confirmed by FIFA, world football's governing body.
What is Spain's position on hosting the final?
Spain has mounted a sustained campaign to secure the final. Rafael Louzán, president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), has repeatedly asserted Spain's claim, arguing that the country's track record and current status as world champions make it the obvious choice. Earlier in 2026, according to Al Jazeera, Louzán had already declared Spain would host the final, describing it as the logical and expected choice.
Speaking to Cadena SER radio station, Louzán reinforced this position:
Even though no decision has been taken, I believe Spain is the place because it cannot be any other way. As you know, we are currently world champions. I believe Spain's organisational capacity for major events is beyond question and that is why reality dictates that the grand final cannot and must not be held anywhere other than in Spain.
Spain's confidence has been bolstered by winning the men's World Cup for the second time in July 2026, defeating Argentina in the final. Spain's government has also remained confident throughout 2026 that the final would be staged on Spanish soil, according to reporting from August of that year.
What stadium infrastructure does each country offer?
Morocco is constructing the Grand Stade Hassan II, a proposed 115,000-seat facility that would become the largest football stadium in the world if completed as planned. This capacity would exceed the stadiums available in Spain, where Real Madrid's Bernabéu Stadium has recently been renovated to hold 83,000 spectators, and Barcelona's Spotify Camp Nou will accommodate 105,000 once its renovations are finished.
When will FIFA make its decision?
FIFA has offered no timeline for resolving the dispute. The governing body stated that
a decision will be made in due course, a response that has remained consistent even after Lekjaa's recent public declaration. According to ESPN, FIFA reiterated this position following the Moroccan federation chief's claim, with the governing body indicating the venue will be decided later.
The timing of FIFA's announcement remains uncertain. Some reporting suggests that tournament locations must be submitted and approved during 2026, though the final's specific venue could be named at a later stage. As of mid-September 2026, no official host for the final has been confirmed, and the dispute between Morocco and Spain shows no signs of immediate resolution.
The controversy underscores the high stakes involved in hosting a World Cup final. When Spain won the tournament in July 2026, the host city for that final—New Jersey—was not confirmed until February 2024, two years before the event took place, demonstrating that FIFA often delays such announcements until well into the planning process.
Key Facts
- The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay marking the tournament's 100th anniversary
- Morocco's federation chief publicly claimed Casablanca would host the final, prompting a rebuke from the country's prime minister for making unilateral commitments
- Spain's federation president argues Spain should host the final based on its organisational capacity and status as the current world champion
- Morocco's proposed Grand Stade Hassan II would hold 115,000 spectators, larger than Spain's available venues
- FIFA has not announced a decision on the final venue and has indicated one will be made "in due course"
