A FIFA delegation will visit Morocco in November and December as part of the ongoing planning process for the 2030 World Cup. The team will meet with representatives of local, regional, and national authorities and inspect candidate stadiums. Morocco, along with Spain and Portugal, will co-host the tournament. The inspection tour aims to support the assessment of each candidate host city and stadium against FIFA's hosting requirements.
The FIFA delegation will visit several host cities in Morocco, including Agadir, Fez, Marrakech, Rabat, Tangier, and Casablanca. They will also visit host cities in Spain, including Bilbao, Barcelona, Las Palmas, Seville, Zaragoza, and San Sebastián. Additionally, the delegation will visit Lisbon and Porto in Portugal. These site visits will serve as the basis for FIFA's decision-making process ahead of the final selection of venues for the tournament.
Morocco and Spain are both vying to host the final of the tournament. Spanish reports indicate continued lobbying and pressure for the Bernabéu to host the final. On the other hand, Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa announced that the Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane, near Casablanca, will be ready in early 2028. Lekjaa expressed confidence in Morocco's chances of hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup final.
Lekjaa cited the Grand Stade Hassan II's large capacity, modern design, and compliance with international safety and sustainability standards. In August, Spanish broadcaster Radio Nacional de España claimed that the Bernabéu had moved ahead of the Moroccan stadium in the race to host the tournament's final. The broadcaster also claimed that Morocco could instead be offered the right to stage the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
FIFA, however, rejected allegations that President Gianni Infantino had promised Morocco the 2030 final in exchange for political support. The decision on the host of the final will be taken in due course, according to FIFA. The reviews will also help determine the number and type of matches to be held at each venue as part of the match schedule development process.
The 2030 World Cup will be a significant event for Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. The three countries are working closely with FIFA to ensure a successful tournament. The inspection tour will help identify areas that need improvement and ensure that the host cities and stadiums meet FIFA's requirements.
The final selection of venues for the tournament will be based on the outcome of the inspection tour. FIFA continues to work closely with relevant stakeholders in all three co-host countries on preparations for the tournament. The 2030 World Cup is expected to be a major event, and Morocco, Spain, and Portugal are eager to showcase their capabilities as host countries.
Key points
- Morocco's Grand Stade Hassan II will be ready in early 2028.
- FIFA will conduct an inspection tour of Morocco, Spain, and Portugal to assess the 2030 World Cup host cities and stadiums.
- Morocco and Spain are vying to host the final of the 2030 World Cup.
