The President of the Spanish Football Federation, Rafael Lozan, has criticised scenes witnessed during the Africa Cup of Nations final while reaffirming Spain’s intention to host the final match of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Lozan confirmed that Spain remains firmly on course to stage the World Cup final as part of the joint hosting arrangement with Portugal and Morocco.
He explained that Spain is expected to take the lead role in the organisation of the tournament, pointing to the country’s long history of successfully hosting major international sporting events.
He noted that Spain’s experience places it in a strong position to manage a World Cup with unique significance, as the 2030 edition will mark the centenary of the tournament’s inception. According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish Football Federation believes that a competition of this scale requires clear central leadership, a responsibility Spain feels equipped to shoulder due to its logistical strength and organisational capacity.
“Spain has a long track record of organisational successes, and we are working to deliver the best World Cup in 2030,” Lozan said in comments quoted by the newspaper.
He added, “The final will be held on Spanish soil, because we want the event to be at the highest possible level, befitting the value of the World Cup in its centenary year,” though he stopped short of naming the city or stadium that would host the showpiece match.
Turning his attention to Spain’s co-hosts, Lozan praised Morocco’s rapid progress in sports development and infrastructure. He acknowledged the country’s investment in modern stadiums and broader transformation within the sports sector, describing it as a development that deserves recognition.
“Morocco is witnessing a clear transformation in various fields, and modern and distinctive stadiums are being built, and this is something that must be acknowledged,” he said.
🚨 ¡Louzán anuncia que la FINAL del MUNDIAL 2030 se jugará en ESPAÑA! pic.twitter.com/flrs1ULQPp
— Diario AS (@diarioas) January 26, 2026
Despite the praise, Lozan raised concerns over organisational shortcomings observed during the recent Africa Cup of Nations final. He suggested that the incidents seen during the match had a negative impact on football’s global image and served as a reminder of the level of preparation required to host a World Cup.
“During the Africa Cup of Nations final, we witnessed scenes that negatively affected the image of football globally, which confirms the importance of being fully prepared for a World Cup of this magnitude,” he added.
Lozan concluded by stressing that the shared ambition of all host nations is to deliver a truly historic tournament.
“The 2030 World Cup is not just an ordinary tournament, but a celebration of 100 years since the start of the World Cup, and we must all be up to the task of this event.”
Morocco, for its part, had hoped to stage the final on its own soil, especially with plans underway to construct a new stadium capable of hosting more than 100,000 spectators.
The project forms part of a broader national strategy aimed at transforming and modernising the country’s sports infrastructure ahead of the landmark tournament.
