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Morocco Aims to Dethrone Madrid for 2030 World Cup Final
🇸🇪 Sweden /Sports

Morocco Aims to Dethrone Madrid for 2030 World Cup Final

From Dagens Nyheter · () Swedish

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • Morocco is building a 115,000-seat stadium in Casablanca, aiming to host the 2030 World Cup final.
  • This move challenges Spain's position in the joint bid with Portugal and Morocco.
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino's recent meetings with Moroccan officials have fueled speculation about a potential deal.

Morocco is making a bold play for the 2030 World Cup final, constructing a massive 115,000-seat stadium in Casablanca. This ambitious project signals Rabat's intent to wrest the prestigious final match from Madrid, challenging the established dynamics of the joint bid involving Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

The initiative has stirred considerable tension in Spain, particularly following recent border incidents where over 70,000 individuals crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco. The joint bid, initially conceived by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in 2018 to foster ties between Europe and Africa, was predicated on Spain hosting the majority of key matches. However, Morocco's unveiling of its colossal stadium and its propaganda campaigns, asserting its superiority over iconic Spanish venues like the Bernabéu and Camp Nou, have shifted the landscape.

Adding to the intrigue, FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended a celebration near Ceuta on July 30, coinciding with a significant influx of migrants. During this event, the president of the Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, reportedly highlighted the economic advantages of hosting the final in Casablanca to Infantino. Lekjaa, who is also tipped for a future premiership, emphasized the potential revenue from over 10,000 VIP seats, each priced at nearly $100,000.

Recent reports from The Times suggest Infantino may have offered Morocco the World Cup final in exchange for support in an upcoming FIFA power struggle. This alleged quid pro quo could explain the frequent recent encounters between Infantino and Moroccan authorities. The feasibility of such a cynical transaction, especially given the current European governments' unease over the Ceuta events, remains uncertain. Nevertheless, King Mohammed VI's substantial investment in the Hassan II stadium suggests confidence in securing the final.

The new stadium in Casablanca would make the World Cup final far more profitable than the alternatives.

— Fouzi LekjaaSpeaking to FIFA President Gianni Infantino about the benefits of hosting the World Cup final in Morocco.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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