The competition for hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030 final between prospective co-hosts Morocco and Spain has reportedly intensified, prompting the Moroccan Prime Minister to publicly instruct the head of the country’s football federation to cease making premature promises to supporters regarding the venue.
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch specifically directed his criticism towards Fouzi Lekjaa, the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF). Lekjaa had publicly declared at a political party gathering that the city of Casablanca should be granted the honor of hosting the World Cup 2030 final. This outspoken announcement by Lekjaa occurred while the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is still actively deliberating on the optimal location for this prestigious final match.
Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are set to jointly host the FIFA World Cup 2030. However, a spokesperson for FIFA previously confirmed on September 5th that the final decision regarding the specific venue for the final match will be made at an appropriate future time, after thorough consideration of all factors.
The Moroccan Prime Minister views the assertions made by the RMFF President as disrespectful towards their co-hosting allies. He urged Lekjaa to engage in collective discussions regarding the matter with both Spain and Portugal, rather than making unilateral declarations. Prime Minister Akhannouch further admonished Lekjaa, stating, “Please do not propose hosting the major final match in Morocco when we have not yet discussed this issue with our allies. Spain and Portugal should also receive some respect.” These remarks were delivered by Aziz Akhannouch during a gathering held in advance of elections scheduled for the end of September.
Prime Minister Akhannouch emphasized to Lekjaa the importance of refraining from using promises of hosting the World Cup final as part of election campaigns for political gain, cautioning that such actions could lead to significant complications. The Prime Minister reiterated that the decision regarding where the final match will ultimately be held remains one of the most crucial and sensitive issues at this time.
Meanwhile, in Spain, Rafael Louzan, the President of the Spanish Football Federation, completely dismissed Lekjaa’s statements. He characterized them as mere political slogans intended for election campaigning. The Spanish football chief asserted that Spain is uniquely suited to host the World Cup 2030 final, citing the nation’s success in winning both the men’s and women’s World Cup championships.
