FIFA has said no decision has been made on the venue for the 2030 FIFA World Cup final, despite claims by Moroccan football federation president Fouzi Lekjaa that the showpiece match will be staged in Morocco.
Morocco, Spain and Portugal will jointly host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with the three countries already competing for the right to host the tournament’s final.
The leading contenders are currently believed to include Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and a proposed 115,000-capacity stadium in Benslimane, near Casablanca, Morocco.
Lekjaa sparked controversy on Wednesday when he declared that Morocco would host the tournament’s final.
More Read
“Benslimane province will host the World Cup final. Whether some people like it or not,” Lekjaa said during a public meeting in the region, according to video published by local media.
However, FIFA has moved to clarify that the venue has not yet been decided.
A FIFA spokesperson told AFP on Friday that the governing body would make the decision at a later date.
“As communicated on 5 August 2026, a decision will be made by FIFA in due course,” the spokesperson said.
Mourinho Backs Bernabéu
The comments have also triggered reactions in Spain, where Portuguese coach José Mourinho expressed his support for Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu as a suitable venue for the prestigious final.
More Read
Mourinho, speaking to reporters on Friday, said he would personally prefer Lisbon but acknowledged the appeal of the Bernabéu.
“I would like the final to be in Lisbon, but I’m already happy that a country like ours will have at least one match at the World Cup,” Mourinho said.
The former Real Madrid coach then made a strong case for the Bernabéu, pointing to its history and significance in world football.
“If you can play in a legendary, historic stadium, where some of the greatest players in history have played, the stadium of the most important club in the history of football, then I think it should be here,” he said.
Mourinho added jokingly that he would make the same argument if he were coaching Benfica.
“If I were Benfica’s coach, I would tell you exactly the same thing.”
For now, the race remains open, with FIFA expected to announce the final venue in due course.
The decision will determine whether the 2030 World Cup final is played at one of football’s most iconic existing stadiums in Madrid or at Morocco’s ambitious new Benslimane venue.
