Morocco and Spain clash over 2030 World Cup final venue

Morocco and Spain are locked in a public dispute over which country will host the 2030 World Cup final, even as FIFA insists no decision has been made. Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, told a political party event in Bouznika on Thursday that the final would be staged in Morocco. The province of Benslimane will have the honor of hosting the 2030 World Cup final, he said, according to a translation of his remarks. He added that the Hassan II Stadium is the venue and expressed hope that Morocco would be playing in it. The stadium in question, officially called the King Hassan II Stadium, is under construction in Benslimane, about 60 kilometers outside Casablanca. The project, valued at roughly 1 billion dollars, is designed for a capacity of 115,000 spectators, which would make it the largest football-specific stadium in the world once completed. FIFA, which retains final authority over tournament match assignments, told multiple news outlets on Thursday that a host venue for the final has not been chosen and that a decision will be made in due course.