Morocco PM takes aim at federation chief over 2030 World Cup final boast

What the report says

Morocco’s prime minister, Aziz Akhannouch, publicly criticized the head of the country’s football federation after the official appeared to suggest that Morocco would host the 2030 World Cup final in Casablanca. The comments, reported by Al Jazeera on the basis of Reuters reporting, came after Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa told a political event that the province of Benslimane would have the “honour” of staging the match.

Akhannouch pushed back during a rally ahead of elections later this month, saying such claims should not be made before the three co-hosts — Spain, Portugal and Morocco — have discussed the matter and before FIFA makes a formal decision. FIFA has not yet announced which of the co-hosts will stage the final, and the article notes that the governing body said the choice would be made later.

The exchange highlights the sensitivity around one of the tournament’s biggest decisions, as hosting the final would bring major prestige and attention. Al Jazeera also reported that Morocco is building a proposed 115,000-seat stadium for the 2030 World Cup, with officials aiming to finish construction by the end of 2027. More broadly, the final venue for major FIFA tournaments is typically determined well in advance, but not without consultation among organizers and governing officials.