Morocco and Spain are locked in a dispute over which nation will host the final of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with FIFA yet to officially announce the location. The disagreement surfaces as Spain continues to grapple with a recent surge of migrants crossing its border from Morocco.
Moroccan federation president Fouzi Lakjaa asserted on Thursday that the final would be held in Benslimane, at the King Hassan II stadium, which is under construction near Casablanca. "Hate it or love it, and if anyone wants to talk on top of that, let them talk," Lakjaa stated at a political rally. "The city is Benslimane, the Hassan II stadium is the stadium, and I hope that Morocco will be playing it."
However, the head of the Spanish soccer federation, Rafael Louzán, countered that Spain deserves to host the final, though he acknowledged that clarity on the matter is lacking. "We all signed to accept the candidacy … it’s too bad that, regarding the final, it wasn’t made clear, totally clear, where it is to be played," Louzán said. "Spain, as world champion both in men’s and women’s soccer, must host the final."
European soccer officials reportedly view the 2030 World Cup, a multi-nation event also involving Portugal and several matches in South America, as primarily a European undertaking with the final on the continent. FIFA stated to the Associated Press that a decision would be made "in due course."
The dispute unfolds amidst pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who recently faced a successful challenge from UEFA to his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. Morocco's federation, along with five other Arab nation federations, has shown support for Infantino since that event.
The King Hassan II Stadium is planned to accommodate 115,000 spectators, while Spain could offer stadiums from Real Madrid or Barcelona. Infantino has made recent visits to Morocco, including meetings with King Mohammed VI and a FIFA crisis meeting in August.
When the joint candidacy between Spain, Portugal, and Morocco was confirmed three years ago, it was envisioned as an event to foster connections between Europe and Africa. However, the current disagreement over the final's location occurs against a backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco, exacerbated by a large-scale migrant influx into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in late July. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that 140 people died during the crossing.