Rabat – The race to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final may no longer be as clear-cut as many once believed.
For years, Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium has been widely regarded as the favorite to stage football’s biggest match when Spain, Portugal, and Morocco co-host the centenary edition of the tournament.
However, a new report from The Athletic suggests Morocco’s ambitious preparations and growing influence within world football have transformed what was once considered an almost certain decision into an increasingly competitive contest.
While FIFA is yet to make a final, official decision to settle the increasingly tense race, sources cited by The Athletic indicate that Casablanca’s future Stade Hassane II is emerging as a serious challenger to host the 2030 World Cup final.
Bernabeu no longer the untouchable favourite
According to The Athletic, Spain’s football federation (RFEF) has traditionally viewed the Santiago Bernabeu as the natural venue for the final.
The iconic stadium has previously hosted a FIFA World Cup Final, the UEFA European Championship final, multiple UEFA Champions League Finals, and even the Copa Libertadores final.
Following its €1.5 billion redevelopment, the Bernabéu is considered one of the most technologically advanced football stadiums in the world.
Spanish federation sources told The Athletic there are “many reasons” why Spain believes the final should remain in Madrid, citing the country’s football history, its experience hosting major sporting events, the number of matches Spain will stage during the tournament, and the commercial appeal of the Spanish capital.
However, another Spanish industry source suggested the landscape has changed considerably over the past 18 months.
“Eighteen months ago, it was impossible for Bernabéu to lose the 2030 final, but today I wouldn’t be surprised, as the RFEF’s position is very weak, compared to everything Morocco have done,” the source elaborated.
Morocco’s ambitious bid
Long before FIFA officially confirmed Morocco as one of the 2030 co-hosts, the country had already begun investing heavily in infrastructure designed specifically for the tournament.
Central to those plans is the construction of Stade Hassan II near Casablanca, a new 115,000-seat stadium expected to become one of the largest football venues in the world.
According to The Athletic, Morocco has committed around €1 billion in public funding for the project, alongside additional investments in transport infrastructure, including highways and rail links connecting the stadium to Casablanca and Rabat.
Moroccan officials have made no secret of their ambitions.
“We want the final,” ANEP Director General Yassir Soussi previously told Spanish newspaper AS, arguing that the new stadium would be easier to adapt to FIFA’s requirements than the already-established Bernabéu.
Sources familiar with Morocco’s planning also told The Athletic they believe awarding the final to Casablanca would represent a fairer geographical balance, noting that Africa has hosted only one World Cup final in history, when South Africa organized the global tournament in 2010.
Lekjaa’s growing influence
The report also highlights the growing influence of Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa within international football.
In addition to leading Moroccan football since 2014, Lekjaa serves as the First Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and sits on FIFA’s ruling council.
The Athletic describes him as one of the most influential figures in global football governance and notes his close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The publication also points out that Morocco recently hosted the opening of FIFA’s new Africa office in Rabat, another sign of the country’s growing importance within the governing body’s long-term strategy.
Political and institutional challenges in spain
While Morocco has projected unity around its World Cup preparations, The Athletic suggests Spain has faced greater institutional challenges.
The outlet notes that the Royal Spanish Football Federation has undergone significant upheavals in recent years, including leadership changes following the departure of former president Luis Rubiales.
Several sources told the publication that current RFEF president Rafael Louzán has yet to build the same level of international influence enjoyed by Lekjaa.
Spain’s government has publicly insisted it remains confident that the final will be played in Madrid.
Sports Minister Milagros Tolón recently dismissed speculation surrounding the issue, while Louzán emphasized Spain’s experience organizing major international events.
However, The Athletic reports that some within Spanish football believe Morocco has gained considerable momentum.
FIFA hold the final decision
Despite the growing debate, the report emphasizes that the final decision rests entirely with FIFA.
As was the case for the 2026 World Cup final, the governing body is expected to make the choice through a small group of senior executives rather than through a public bidding process.
The publication notes that FIFA’s preference often extends beyond sporting considerations to logistical, commercial, and political factors, including infrastructure, government support, and operational flexibility.
Some sources also pointed to the close working relationship between Morocco’s government and football authorities as a potential advantage during FIFA’s decision-making process.
Race far from over
Although Spain remains convinced that the Bernabeu offers the strongest case, The Athletic concludes that the race is no longer one-sided.
With Morocco investing heavily in infrastructure, expanding its influence within international football, and openly campaigning for Casablanca to host the tournament’s biggest match, the battle to stage the 2030 World Cup final appears more competitive than ever.
For now, FIFA has not announced when it will decide where the final will be played, leaving unsettled one of the biggest questions surrounding the centenary World Cup.
