FIFA has decisively quashed rumors of a secret agreement with Morocco to host the 2030 World Cup final at Benslimane stadium. Wednesday, a spokesperson for the global football authority dismissed earlier reports published by The Times, which had been widely circulated in the media.
Assertions that the FIFA president has committed to any specific location for the 2030 World Cup final are false and misleading. FIFA will make its decision in due time», the spokesperson told EFE. This statement aims to quell the controversy and reassure Spain, also vying to host the tournament’s grand finale.
The Times earlier suggested that Gianni Infantino offered Morocco the chance to host the final in exchange for backing his 2027 FIFA presidency re-election. This rumor emerges as Infantino faces increased pressure following the dismissal of his proposal to involve private capital in World Cup organization.
Europe’s football body, UEFA, has firmly stood against Infantino’s initiative.
Speculation intensified only days after a Catalan outlet suggested that «Morocco is inching closer to securing the 2030 World Cup final by gaining behind-the-scenes support to divert the event from Camp Nou and the Bernabéu».
The report claims Morocco has already secured 22 of the 37 FIFA Council votes needed for the decision, enjoying the favor of the African, Asian, North American, and Oceanian confederations, while only Europe and South America seem to back Spain.
It’s important to note that Spain’s government and its Royal Spanish Football Federation have yet to select their preferred venue for the 2030 World Cup final. Madrid advocates for the Bernabéu, while Barcelona supports Camp Nou.
The Hassan II complex in Benslimane, currently in development, is designed to accommodate up to 115,000 spectators, surpassing both the Bernabéu’s 83,186 and Camp Nou’s 105,000 seat capacities.
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