Morocco's Bold Bid for the 2030 Final
Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation, has issued a defiant challenge in the race to host the 2030 World Cup final. Speaking at an election event for the Authenticity and Modernity Party just days before Morocco's legislative elections, Lekjaa declared that Morocco will mobilize all institutions and all Moroccans to ensure the country hosts the final, whether some like it or not. He had gone even further around 10 days earlier, confirming that Benslimane would have the honour of organising the 2030 final.[S1]
The battle to host the 2030 World Cup final is wide open. Spain initially appeared the obvious choice, with the Santiago Bernabeu leading the way and the Spotify Camp Nou waiting in the wings. Now Morocco's new Grand Stade Hassan II has thrown itself into contention, and the odds of it staging the showpiece look better by the day.[S1]
Stadium Capacity and Timing Give Morocco an Edge
Capacity is Lekjaa's trump card. The Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane will pack in 115,000 spectators, dwarfing both the Camp Nou at 105,000 and the Bernabeu, which holds around 78,000. Timing hands Morocco another edge. The stadium will be finished before the Camp Nou, giving it the chance to prove itself by hosting major events beforehand. Builders expect the Grand Stade Hassan II to be fully complete by 2027, at an estimated cost topping 450 million euros.[S1]
FIFA are unlikely to settle the matter until next year, perhaps even 2028, with Spain and Morocco both fighting to land the final. The decision will have significant implications for the tournament and the global football landscape.[S1]
