World Cup 2030: Fouzi Lekjaa insists again on a final in Morocco!

Fouzi Lekjaa is reviving the bid to host the 2030 World Cup final in Morocco, despite FIFA's recent reminder.

Fouzi Lekjaa is not giving up on hosting the final of the 2030 World Cup. As Morocco prepares to co-host the tournament with Spain and Portugal, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation used a visit to Benslimane, where the future Grand Stade Hassan II is due to be built, to strongly reaffirm the Kingdom's ambition.

"We will mobilise all institutions and all Moroccans so that Morocco hosts the final of the 2030 World Cup. Whether people like it or not, whether some want it or not."

Lekjaa responds to Spanish pressure

This latest statement comes as Spanish officials continue to defend their own bid. José Manuel Rodriguez Uribes, president of Spain's Higher Sports Council, recently said that Spain had "enough solid arguments" to host the final.

For his part, Lekjaa insists on the legitimacy of Morocco and Africa more broadly to host the tournament's final match. A few days earlier, he had already explained:

"Perhaps it is highly contested by the Spanish. We are not three countries operating according to rivalries. We are working according to a logic of complementarity. We will always stand up for the rights of Africa and the Kingdom of Morocco, which, in my view, have the right to host a World Cup final for the second time in a century."

FIFA had already cooled an earlier announcement

This is not the first time Fouzi Lekjaa has spoken so assertively. On September 10, he had claimed that the final would be played in Benslimane, at Hassan II Stadium, even responding to reports from Spain.

"Every day, I hear Marca's chatter... The final will be in Benslimane, at Hassan II Stadium."

A few hours later, however, FIFA reminded everyone that no decision had yet been made regarding the country or stadium that would host the final. The governing body said it would make a decision "in due course". The bid therefore remains officially open.

Hassan II up against the Bernabéu

Morocco is primarily counting on the future Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane, which is expected to have around 115,000 seats. Spain is notably promoting the Santiago Bernabéu, home of Real Madrid.

For now, neither Morocco nor Spain has official confirmation. But through this latest statement, Lekjaa shows that the battle to host the 2030 World Cup final is far from over.

Read also: Morocco: Ezzalzouli criticised, Ouahbi steps in

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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