Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has publicly criticized the head of Morocco's football federation for prematurely claiming his country would host the 2030 World Cup final.
The Prime Minister of Morocco, Aziz Akhannouch, has publicly rebuked the head of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) following premature assertions regarding the venue for the 2030 FIFA World Cup final. The tension arose after federation president Fouzi Lekjaa suggested during a political gathering that the Benslimane province would secure the prestigious honor of hosting the tournament's concluding match.
This declaration caught the Moroccan government governing body. Prime Minister Akhannouch expressed his disapproval of the comments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a collaborative and respectful relationship with Morocco's co-hosting partners, Spain and Portugal. He urged officials to refrain from making unilateral claims that could undermine delicate international negotiations.
The Prime Minister underscored that the selection process for the final is a matter of significant geopolitical and logistical complexity. training the partnership that Morocco has carefully built with its European neighbors to ensure a successful joint bid.
During a rally held in anticipation of upcoming elections, Akhannouch stressed that hosting a tournament of this magnitude requires careful coordination rather than individual posturing. He warned against using the excitement surrounding the World Cup as a tool for domestic political gain, noting that such rhetoric could jeopardize the integrity of the tripartite agreement between the three nations.
The Moroccan leader specifically asked the federation to exercise restraint, reminding them that decisions of this scale must be reached through consensus with Spain and Portugal. He characterized the federation’s behavior as a lack of respect for the collaborative nature of the joint bid, urging officials to avoid offering promises that the government is not yet in a position to guarantee.
The government's stance highlights a desire to appear as a reliable and professional partner on the global stage. ister is attempting to preserve the diplomatic goodwill necessary to navigate the complex requirements set forth
While the political discourse continues, Morocco remains heavily invested in the physical infrastructure required to host the global event. The centerpiece of the nation's proposal is a massive 115,000-seat stadium currently under development in the Benslimane region. As of mid-2026, the project was reported to be approximately 30 percent complete, with construction teams working toward a target deadline to ensure the facility meets international standards.
Despite the physical progress, FIFA has remained characteristically cautious regarding the final venue announcement. Historically, the governing body prefers to finalize such critical decisions well after the initial planning phases are complete, as evidenced ed until February 2024, despite the selection of New Jersey occurring significantly later in the cycle.
This standard operating procedure suggests that the debate over the 2030 final is far from over. FIFA spokespeople have reiterated that a formal decision will be made in due course, leaving ample time for the three co-host nations to continue their discussions. Until that announcement is made, the Moroccan government appears determined to keep the focus on collective preparation rather than regional competition.