Morocco make confident bid to host 2030 World Cup final at Hassan II Stadium

The race to stage the 2030 World Cup final remains open, with Morocco stepping up its campaign to host the showpiece match at the new Grand Stade Hassan II in Ben Slimane.

Spain had initially been viewed as the near-certain destination for the final, with Santiago Bernabeu regarded as the leading option and Spotify Camp Nou considered an alternative. However, Morocco’s proposed stadium is increasingly being discussed as a serious contender.

According to comments published by Sport, Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation, has made clear his country’s ambition to secure the final. He said the Grand Stade Hassan II would offer a larger capacity than both Spotify Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabeu.

The stadium in Ben Slimane is planned to accommodate 115,000 spectators. That would place it ahead of Spotify Camp Nou, which is expected to hold 105,000, and Santiago Bernabeu, whose capacity is approximately 78,000.

Speaking at an electoral event organised by the Party of Authenticity and Modernity a few days before Morocco’s legislative elections, Lekjaa said: “We will mobilise all institutions and all Moroccans so that Morocco hosts the 2030 World Cup final, whether anyone likes it or not.”

Lekjaa had already gone as far as to say around 10 days earlier that Ben Slimane would have the honour of hosting the 2030 World Cup final.

The proposed Moroccan venue also has a potential logistical advantage over the Spanish options. Construction of the Grand Stade Hassan II is expected to be completed before Spotify Camp Nou, allowing it to be tested through the staging of major events ahead of the tournament.

The stadium is expected to be fully finished by 2027, with the estimated cost exceeding 450 million euros.

Despite Morocco’s confident public position, the final decision is not expected immediately. It is likely that the choice will not be known until next year or possibly 2028, with Spain and Morocco among the countries being considered to host the World Cup final.