Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has publicly rebuked the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF), Fouzi Lekjaa, after the official declared that the 2030 World Cup final would be held in the province of Benslimane. The bold assertion, made during a political party event, bypassed the official selection process currently managed by FIFA.
Diplomatic Tensions and FIFA Protocols
FIFA has not yet determined which of the three co-hosts—Morocco, Spain, or Portugal—will host the final match. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed that a decision will be made in due course, noting that such announcements are typically delayed; for instance, the 2026 final venue in New Jersey was not finalized until February 2024, despite the selection occurring in July.
Official Response and Stadium Progress
- Akhannouch addressed the controversy at a rally ahead of elections, stating: “Do not offer to host the big final game in Morocco while we still have not discussed the matter with our allies, Spain and Portugal. There should be some respect, brothers.”
- The Prime Minister added: “Stop using electoral promises to pull the rug out from under us. These are huge matters. Deciding where the final will be held is a major issue.”
- As of May, the proposed 115,000-seat stadium in Morocco is approximately 30 percent complete, with officials targeting a construction finish date by the end of 2027.
- The RMFF has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding Lekjaa’s remarks.
