Morocco and Spain, co-organizers of the 2030 World Cup with Portugal, are competing to host the final of the competition. A healthy rivalry could end to Morocco’s advantage.
While Spain wants to see this final played at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, Morocco plans to build the Grand African Stadium, with a capacity of 115,000 seats, in Benslimane, near Casablanca, to host the event. For the moment, the interim president of the Spanish football federation, Pedro Rocha, is trying to convince FIFA that the Spanish stadium is the most suitable for the 2030 World Cup final.
No less than 15 stadiums have been identified by Spain to host matches in this World Cup. But none of them were selected for the opening match which will be played in Uruguay. The Spanish federation is fighting to have 10 of its stadiums retained. For its part, Morocco hopes to obtain clearance for six stadiums (Agadir, Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and Fez), without forgetting its clearly stated desire to host the final. Portugal, for its part, is banking on three stadiums, including two in Lisbon and one in Porto, relays The Objective.
Morocco is counting on the president of its Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, to throw its weight behind the vote of the 54 countries that make up the Confederation of African Football (CAF). But the last word will go to FIFA, and more precisely to its president, Gianni Infantino. At this level, Fouzi Lekjaa also has a great advantage, since he has been a member of the FIFA Council since March 11, 2021.
Meanwhile, the Spanish federation has been without a confirmed president since the resignation of Luis Rubiales on September 10 and has lost its place on the FIFA Council since the departure of Angel María Villar in 2017. Some analysts believe that the interim president of the RFEF lacks legitimacy and does not have the freedom to make major decisions. A situation that could nullify Spain’s efforts in this rivalry with Morocco over the stadium to host the 2030 World Cup final.
