FIFA denies Morocco promise to host 2030 World Cup final at Hassan II Stadium

FIFA has denied making any agreement or promise to Morocco over the hosting of the 2030 World Cup final, casting fresh uncertainty over the venue for the tournament’s showpiece match.

The clarification follows comments from Moroccan football official Fouzi Lekjaa, who claimed that the final would be played at the Grand Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, which is currently under construction.

The remarks have reignited controversy surrounding the allocation of the 2030 World Cup final and the political and electoral interests surrounding FIFA’s leadership.

FIFA maintains decision is yet to be made

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, a FIFA spokesperson dismissed the claim and reiterated the organisation’s previous position.

“As announced on August 5, 2026, FIFA will make a decision in due course.”

Lekjaa made the comments during an election rally for Morocco’s Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), where he appeared to confirm Casablanca as the venue for the tournament’s most important fixture.

However, FIFA has yet to officially allocate stadiums among the three main host nations.

FIFA previously rejected claims involving Infantino

Lekjaa’s latest comments come exactly one month after The Times reported that FIFA president Gianni Infantino had offered Morocco the opportunity to host the 2030 World Cup final in return for his support.

FIFA rejected those claims at the time, saying: “It is incorrect and misleading to claim that the FIFA President made any promises regarding the venue for the 2030 World Cup final.”

The governing body has now repeated the same position following Lekjaa’s latest remarks.

World Cup venue decision remains unresolved

The dispute has added to concerns about the political tensions surrounding FIFA, particularly as the organisation faces internal opposition over plans that were previously considered to sell a share of future World Cup revenues to private investors.

The proposal was eventually abandoned following strong resistance from European and Asian football federations.

The earlier report by The Times suggested that FIFA’s engagement with Morocco was linked to a wider battle for political influence and African support ahead of the FIFA presidential elections in Rabat.

Morocco set to host major share of 2030 matches

The 2030 World Cup will be staged across six countries for the first time, with Morocco, Spain and Portugal hosting the majority of the tournament.

Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay will stage the opening three matches as part of celebrations marking the centenary of the first World Cup, which was held in Montevideo in 1930.

Despite preparations continuing, FIFA has not officially confirmed which stadiums will host the matches in the three principal host countries.

That means the venue for the 2030 World Cup final remains undecided, with any claims that the Hassan II Stadium has already secured the fixture premature.