FIFA to decide 2030 World Cup final venue in 2028 as Morocco, Spain wait
By Aboki Forex —
FIFA is expected to decide the venue for the 2030 World Cup final in 2028, a timeline that keeps Morocco’s push to host the showpiece at the Hassan II Stadium alive. Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported that sources familiar with the process said FIFA does not plan to announce the final venue before 2028.
The reported timeline mirrors the previous World Cup cycle. FIFA waited until February 2024 to confirm New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium as the venue for the 2026 final. That means the contest between Morocco and Spain remains open, despite increasingly confident statements from both countries over their preferred venues.
Morocco pushes Hassan II Stadium
Morocco has made no secret of its ambition to bring the 2030 World Cup final to Benslimane, near Casablanca, where the Hassan II Stadium is under construction. The stadium is expected to have a capacity of about 115,000. When completed, it would be one of the largest football stadiums in the world.
The project has become the centrepiece of Morocco’s bid to host the tournament’s closing match. Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, has repeatedly backed the ambition. In September, he said Benslimane would have “the honour” of hosting the 2030 final. He also called on Moroccan institutions and supporters to support efforts to bring the match to the Hassan II Stadium.
Spain remains confident
FIFA, however, has maintained that no decision has been made on the final venue. It previously said the announcement would come “in due course.”
Rafael Louzán, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, has expressed confidence that Spain will host the final. He pointed to either Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu or Barcelona’s Camp Nou as possible venues. Mundo Deportivo identified the two Spanish stadiums and Morocco’s Hassan II Stadium as the leading contenders for the final.
Joint bid and centenary matches
The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will stage centenary matches to mark the tournament’s 100th anniversary.
FIFA is also considering expanding the 2030 World Cup to 66 teams. The final venue decision is now set to run into 2028, leaving both Morocco and Spain with time to make their case.