Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, but the North African nation has been dealt a blow after it was confirmed that neither the opening match nor the final will be staged on its soil.
FIFA has designated Spain’s iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid as the venue for the tournament final, while centenary celebrations will see the opening fixture take place in South America—specifically Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
Despite Morocco’s commitment to the event and the construction of a new state-of-the-art stadium, it will not be awarded either of the showpiece fixtures.
The decision marks a disappointment for the Moroccan Football Federation and its president, Fouzi Lekjaâ, who had lobbied heavily for the final to be played in Casablanca.
Morocco unveiled ambitious plans last year, including the construction of the Hassan II Stadium, a 115,000-seat venue in Casablanca built at an estimated cost of €250 million.
The stadium was designed to serve as the crown jewel of Morocco’s World Cup infrastructure.
Lekjaâ and senior Moroccan officials made a formal presentation in Barcelona in June 2024 to push their case.
Despite their efforts, including a concerted appeal to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the bid fell short.
The Bernabéu, with its modern renovations and symbolic stature within European football, was ultimately preferred as the stage for the tournament’s climactic match.
Morocco will, however, host one of the two semi-finals, providing a degree of prestige and international attention.
Still, missing out on both the final and the opening ceremony has been viewed in some quarters as a setback for the country, which had hoped to use the World Cup as a global showcase.
Further complicating Morocco’s ambitions was FIFA’s plan to celebrate the centenary of the inaugural 1930 World Cup by holding ceremonial matches in South America.
Uruguay, where the very first World Cup was held, along with Argentina and Paraguay, will host opening-day fixtures to mark 100 years of the tournament’s history.
The confirmed arrangement leaves Morocco with six stadiums in use throughout the competition, while Spain will host 11 venues and Portugal three.
While Morocco remains an integral co-host of the historic tournament, the absence of headline fixtures in its stadiums is a notable omission from its aspirations.
For a country that has invested heavily in sporting infrastructure and international diplomacy to secure hosting rights, the 2030 World Cup represents both a milestone and a missed opportunity.
