Rabat: FIFA has dismissed claims that the 2030 World Cup final will take place in Morocco, countering statements made by Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Moroccan Football Federation. Lekjaa previously asserted that the final would be hosted at the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, as part of a joint hosting arrangement with Spain and Portugal.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Lekjaa made the announcement during a political event in Bouznika, Morocco, suggesting that the province of Ben Slimane would host the 2030 World Cup final. However, a FIFA spokesperson contradicted this assertion in a statement to the Spanish newspaper Marca, indicating that the decision regarding the final’s location remains pending. The spokesperson emphasized, “As announced by FIFA on August 5th, FIFA will make the appropriate decision at the appropriate time.”

FIFA’s denial follows a previous rejection of a report by The Times, which alleged that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had made commitments to the Confederation of African Football about holding the final in Morocco.