FIFA has confirmed that no decision has been reached on the host venue for the final of the 2030 World Cup, amid a public battle between co-hosts Morocco, Spain, and Portugal over who will stage football's biggest occasion.

Two stadiums in the frame

The two frontrunners for the final are Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu in Spain and the planned King Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane, near Casablanca, which is under construction and will hold 115,000 spectators once complete.

The debate flared after Fouzi Lekjaa, the head of Morocco's football federation, told those gathered at a political rally that Morocco had already secured the right to host the final. "The city of Benslimane will host the World Cup final. Hate it or love it, and if anyone wants to talk on top of that, let them talk," Lekjaa declared, in a translation provided by The Associated Press. "The city is Benslimane, the Hassan II stadium is the stadium, and I hope that Morocco will be playing in it."

Mourinho backs the Bernabeu

Lekjaa's remarks drew a swift response in Spain. Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho made the case for the Santiago Bernabeu, describing it as a legendary venue worthy of the occasion.

"If you can play in a legendary, historic stadium, where some of the greatest players in history have played, the stadium of the most important club in the history of football, then I think it should be here," Mourinho said, in an apparent reference to the Bernabeu.

The Portuguese coach also touched on his personal preference, stating: "I would like the final to be in Lisbon, but I'm already happy that a country like ours will have at least one match at the World Cup."

FIFA urges patience

FIFA moved to cool the escalating dispute, with a spokesperson reiterating on Friday that no determination had been made. "As communicated on 5 August 2026, a decision will be made by FIFA in due course," the spokesperson told AFP.

The governing body had previously rejected reports in the British press suggesting that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had privately guaranteed Morocco the final in exchange for political support ahead of his re-election campaign next year. FIFA has given no timeline for when the announcement will come.