Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa has claimed that the 2030 FIFA World Cup final will be played at the new Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane, near Casablanca.
Lekjaa made the declaration while speaking at a political party event in Morocco, expressing confidence that the province of Benslimane will be given the honour of staging the biggest match of the tournament.
“The province of Benslimane will have the honour of hosting the 2030 World Cup final,” Lekjaa said.
The proposed Hassan II Stadium is currently under construction and is expected to become one of the largest football stadiums in the world, with a projected capacity of about 115,000 spectators.
The stadium is being built in Benslimane, around 60 kilometres from Casablanca, and is a major part of Morocco’s preparations for the 2030 World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Lekjaa’s statement, however, does not represent an official confirmation from FIFA.
FIFA has yet to announce the venue for the 2030 World Cup final and has stressed that the decision will be made through the governing body’s official process. FIFA has also previously dismissed reports suggesting that the final had already been awarded to Morocco.
The venue for the final remains a major point of competition between Morocco and Spain, with Spanish stadiums also being considered for the prestigious fixture.
Morocco’s Hassan II Stadium is nevertheless emerging as a strong part of the country’s ambitions. Once completed, the venue is expected to provide a spectacular setting capable of accommodating more than 100,000 supporters and would give Morocco a major stadium capable of hosting the World Cup final.
The 2030 World Cup itself will be unique, with matches taking place across six countries and three continents. Morocco, Spain and Portugal will host the main part of the tournament, while Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will stage opening matches as part of celebrations marking the centenary of the first World Cup.
For now, Lekjaa’s declaration has intensified the debate over where the final will be played, but the final decision remains with FIFA.
