Marrakech – Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and head of the 2030 World Cup organizing committee, has refuted recent reports claiming that Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium has been selected to host the 2030 World Cup final.
Speaking on a special program broadcast on Morocco’s Al Aoula channel Friday evening, Lekjaa clarified that the selection of stadiums for the tournament remains subject to negotiations between the three host countries – Morocco, Spain, and Portugal – in coordination with FIFA.
“Decisions related to the World Cup are not made by club presidents, but by the organizing committees of the three countries in coordination with FIFA,” Lekjaa stated.
He pointed out that “the press is free to publish what it wants, but what is certain, until now, is that Morocco, Spain, and Portugal have earned the honor of organizing this global event.”
The FRMF president asserted that no official decision has been made regarding the distribution of matches or the selection of the stadium for the final.
This comes in response to Spanish media reports suggesting that FIFA had chosen the Santiago Bernabeu stadium to host the tournament’s final match.
According to the Spanish website Defensa Central, Real Madrid had reportedly received confirmation from FIFA about renting the historic stadium for the final, citing its technological development and large capacity of over 80,000 spectators.
During the interview, Lekjaa suggested that “the opening and final will take place in the largest stadium ready for the 2030 World Cup,” a statement that positions Morocco’s Grand Benslimane Stadium, officially known as Hassan II Stadium, as a logical favorite.
Morocco builds the world’s biggest stadium
Currently under construction near Casablanca, this project – with a capacity exceeding 115,000 spectators – is considered by far the largest of its kind in the world, making it a strong contender against Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu and Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou.
The construction of Benslimane Stadium is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Moroccan construction companies TGCC and SGTM were awarded the second lot of the project in June, in a deal valued at MAD 3.2 billion ($320 million).
The stadium will take the form of a massive white tent embodying the “moussem culture” and will be connected to a network of highways and public transportation, along with sports facilities, including a “green fields village” and recreational facilities.
Lekjaa also spotlighted the North African country’s golden era in football, both at the national team and club levels on the continental stage. He noted that “the boom in Moroccan football today is reinforced by modern infrastructure, which will enable us to continue to excel and win titles in the future.”
The FRMF president reminded that Morocco has become a central player in African and international football. “The Kingdom is now a host for major competitions. This is not a slogan, it’s a reality being built on the ground,” he said during the broadcast.
The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, with stadium selection subject to strict criteria including capacity, infrastructure, technological readiness, safety, comfort, and sustainability.
The final decision will be based on a collective agreement between all concerned parties, with consideration for fair distribution of important matches among the three host countries.
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