FIFA Denies Morocco Has Secured 2030 World Cup Final

FIFA has rejected a claim by Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, that Morocco has already secured the right to host the 2030 World Cup final.

The world governing body said the venue for the final had not yet been decided and would be announced at a later date.

Speaking at a political rally, Lekjaa claimed the final would be held in Benslimane at the new King Hassan II Stadium. The venue, being built near Casablanca, is expected to have a capacity of 115,000.

Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal. It will mark only the second time an African country has hosted World Cup matches, after South Africa staged the tournament in 2010.

The dispute follows earlier reports in the British media alleging that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had promised Morocco the final in exchange for political support as he seeks re-election next year. FIFA has denied the allegations.

(Reuters, mja)