2030 World Cup final: between Morocco and Spain, the war of nerves is raging

The media and diplomatic standoff has reached a new level. On the sidelines of a political visit to Sidi Slimane and during a rally in Bouznika, the president of the Fédération royale marocaine de football (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaa, stated without ambiguity that the future Grand Stade Hassan II, located in the province of Benslimane, will host the final of the 2030 World Cup.

Brushing aside speculation from the Spanish press — particularly targeting the daily Marca, whose daily “talk” about Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu he mocks — the Moroccan official was categorical: “What you need to know is that the Hassan II Stadium in the province of Benslimane is where the final of the 2030 World Cup will take place.”

Also Deputy Minister in charge of the Budget, Lekjaa slipped in a wish with a hint of sporting revenge: “God willing, the final will be between Morocco and France so that we can take our revenge.”

Electoral calculations and architectural symbolism

To gauge the significance of this strong statement, the political calendar offers a first explanation: the campaign for the Moroccan legislative elections, scheduled for September 23, is in full swing. In this context, securing the world's biggest sporting event represents a major symbolic card.

On a sporting and technical level, the Moroccan project has no shortage of arguments. Under construction in Benslimane, 60 kilometers from Casablanca, the future Hassan II Stadium will have a projected capacity of 115,000 seats. Once completed, the structure will become the largest venue dedicated exclusively to football in the world, a giant of concrete and steel designed specifically to outshine the legendary Spanish Santiago Bernabéu.

Ceuta and the politics of sound bites

But the confrontation goes far beyond football’s turf. Spain and Morocco remain engaged in delicate diplomatic negotiations against a backdrop of migration tensions, where the Spanish enclave of Ceuta is a major geostrategic hotspot.

Fouzi Lekjaa’s clarifications are a direct response to remarks by Rafael Louzán, a notable figure in the Spanish federation. During a visit to Ceuta, the latter poured fuel on the fire by stating that he “would not understand” if the final eluded Spain. This stance was seen in Rabat as a political provocation regarding a disputed territory.

FIFA caught between two sides

In the face of escalating rhetoric, the governing body of world football is trying to keep control. FIFA was quick to cool tempers on both sides by reminding everyone that no official decision had yet been finalized.

The international federation had already had to quell a controversy started by the British press, which suggested that Gianni Infantino, currently mired in turmoil, had promised the final to Morocco in exchange for valuable political support for his re-election next year.

Javier Tebas pours oil on the fire

This institutional cacophony was not lost on Javier Tebas. The president of LaLiga, sworn enemy of Gianni Infantino, was quick to exploit the situation on X (formerly Twitter), criticizing FIFA's communications.

“The problem is who said it. It’s not a journalist, nor just a rumor on social networks. It’s Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Fédération royale marocaine de football, FIFA Council member, and deputy minister of the Moroccan government in charge of the Budget,” protested the head of the Spanish league.

Ironizing about what he calls FIFA's regular backpedaling, Tebas drove the point home: “Another denial from FIFA! Nothing new, denial has become an almost official policy of this federation, and here they are branding as false and fake news the holding of the 2030 World Cup final in Morocco.” Before concluding with a sharp dilemma: “ Lekjaa affirms that the final will be in Casablanca, and FIFA denies it. So who’s the liar? The president of the organizing federation, a FIFA Council member and government minister? Or should we, once again, believe Infantino’s official denial?”

Between diplomacy, competing infrastructure investments, and political settling of scores, the road to 2030 still looks long before FIFA delivers its final verdict.