Madrid mayor fears Morocco could win race to host 2030 World Cup final

Madrid mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida says he is concerned that the Spanish capital could lose the chance to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final, with Morocco pushing for the showpiece to be staged in Casablanca.

Almeida said on Tuesday that he was not optimistic about Madrid’s chances and questioned whether the Spanish government was doing enough to secure the final for the city.

“I am not optimistic,” Almeida said, adding that Morocco’s ambition to host the final was legitimate and that he believed the country was taking political and institutional steps towards that objective.

The comments come amid competing ambitions from Morocco and Spain over where the tournament’s biggest match should be played. FIFA has yet to make a decision on the final venue.

Madrid mayor questions Spanish government

Almeida, a member of Spain’s opposition People’s Party, said he had seen little evidence of government efforts to support Madrid’s bid.

“I have no proof or evidence that the Spanish government is moving in the same direction,” he said.

He also claimed Madrid’s municipal authorities had not received information about any government initiatives aimed at securing the final for the Spanish capital.

Almeida argued that Madrid should host the match, pointing to the city’s involvement in the original Spain-Portugal hosting proposal before Morocco joined the project.

He also said there should be consequences if the final is eventually staged outside Madrid, while acknowledging that he does not have responsibility for deciding the tournament’s venue allocation.

Morocco targeting Casablanca final

Morocco has been promoting the Grand Stade Hassan II in the Casablanca area as a potential venue for the final.

Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa previously said the final would be held in the Benslimane province, where the new stadium is being constructed.

However, FIFA subsequently said that no decision had been made and that the venue would be determined at a later stage.

The Moroccan position has also generated debate domestically, with Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch criticising Lekjaa’s earlier assertion that the final would be staged in Casablanca despite FIFA not having confirmed the venue.

Spain continues to push Madrid case

Spanish football officials have also publicly backed the country’s ambition to host the final.

RFEF president Rafael Louzán said on 16 September that Spain had the credentials to stage the match and announced plans for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to visit Madrid in the autumn as preparations continue.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also expressed his government’s intention to work towards having the final played in Spain.

The Santiago Bernabéu is among the proposed Spanish venues for the tournament.

FIFA yet to decide final venue

Morocco, Spain and Portugal will jointly host the 2030 World Cup, while Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will stage one centenary match each. FIFA confirmed the six-country format when Morocco, Portugal and Spain were appointed as the main hosts.

The final is scheduled for 21 July 2030, but FIFA has not announced whether it will be played in Madrid, Casablanca or another venue.