Morocco's prime minister Aziz Akhannouch has publicly reprimanded Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan football federation (RMFF), for pledging that the 2030 World Cup final would be held in Morocco — a matter he says has not been agreed with co-hosts Spain and Portugal.

Speaking at a political rally, Akhannouch was blunt: "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."

Lekjaa's Casablanca claim

Lekjaa had stated at a party event in Casablanca that the city would have the "honour" of staging the showpiece. FIFA, world football's governing body, responded cautiously, saying only that "a decision will be made in due course."

The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, with three opening matches staged in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to mark the competition's centenary. Host stadiums have been proposed but the full list — and the venue for the final — remains unconfirmed.

Spain stakes its claim

Rafael Louzan, president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), has made no secret of his belief that Spain should stage the final. He pointed to Spain's recent triumph at the World Cup — defeating Argentina in July to lift the trophy for the second time — as further justification.

"Even though no decision has been taken, I believe Spain is the place because it cannot be any other way," Louzan told Cadena SER radio station. "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."

It is worth noting that the host of this year's final, New Jersey, was not confirmed until February 2024 — just over two years before the tournament kicked off.

The stadium picture

Morocco are constructing a proposed 115,000-seat stadium that would become the largest football stadium in the world. In Spain, Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium — recently renovated — now holds 83,000, while Barcelona's Spotify Camp Nou will reach a capacity of 105,000 once its own renovation is complete.

With three nations, three continents, and several world-class venues in the frame, the battle for the 2030 final is shaping up to be as competitive as any match on the pitch.