FIFA opens up on demand for Morocco to host World Cup final

FIFA has responded to a claim by the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation that Morocco would host the 2030 World Cup final. However, FIFA said no decision has been made on the matter yet.

The 2030 World Cup is being co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco. This will be the second time a World Cup match will be held in an African country, after South Africa in 2010.

FIFA told multiple media outlets on Thursday that the final venue would be decided "in due course."

However, in a speech at a political rally on Thursday, Moroccan Football Federation head Fouzi Lekza claimed that his country had already secured the right to host the final.

"The World Cup final will be held in the city of Benslimane. Whether anyone likes it or not, if anyone wants to talk about it, let them talk," Lekza said, according to a translation by the Associated Press. "The city is Benslimane, the stadium will be the Hassan II Stadium. Hopefully, Morocco itself will play there."

The stadium, officially named King Hassan II Stadium, is under construction near the city of Casablanca and will have a capacity of 115,000 spectators.

Earlier, British media reported that FIFA's controversial president Gianni Infantino had promised Morocco to host the final in exchange for political support in next year's elections. However, FIFA had previously denied the reports.