FIFA denies Morocco has secured 2030 World Cup final
Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino talk at a stadium in Monterrey, Mexico, June 29, 2026. (Reuters Photo)


FIFA responded to a claim by the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation ​that his nation would host the 2030 FIFA World Cup ⁠final, saying that decision ⁠has not been made yet.

Morocco will co-host the 2030 tournament with ​Spain and Portugal. It marks just ​the ⁠second time an African nation will host World Cup games, after South Africa staged the 2010 event.

FIFA told multiple news outlets Thursday a host venue for the final will be decided upon "in due course."

Fouzi Lekjaa, the head of Morocco's soccer federation, reportedly told those who gathered at a ⁠political ⁠rally Thursday that their nation had already won the right to host the final.

"The city of Benslimane will host the World Cup final. Hate it or love it, and if anyone wants to talk on top of that, let ⁠them talk," Lekjaa said, per a translation by The Associated Press. "The city is Benslimane, the Hassan II stadium ​is the stadium, and I hope that Morocco ​will be playing (in) it."

The stadium in question, officially called the King ⁠Hassan ‌II ‌Stadium, is in the process of ⁠being built not far ‌from the city of Casablanca and will ​seat 115,000.

FIFA previously denied reports ⁠in the British media ⁠that its embattled president, Gianni Infantino, had promised ⁠Morocco the ​final in exchange for political support as he runs for re-election next year.