The 2030 World Cup final in Morocco is at the centre of fresh speculation. According to Reuters, some African football officials believe Fouzi Lekjaa may have obtained a promise regarding the final in exchange for his support for Gianni Infantino.
Reuters stresses, however, that no evidence has been produced to prove the existence of such a deal. FIFA has rejected the reports suggesting that a promise was made to Morocco.
2030 World Cup final in Morocco: suspicions reported by Reuters
The information published on 10 September by Reuters is based in particular on statements from a senior source within the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
According to this source, some African football figures believe that Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, received a promise concerning the hosting of the 2030 World Cup final.
In return, these officials suspect Lekjaa of having helped maintain the support of African federations for Gianni Infantino.
However, Reuters presents no proof confirming the existence of this potential agreement.
FIFA denies any promise made to Morocco
FIFA has already reacted to the controversy.
In August, the world governing body described as “false and misleading” the reports claiming that Gianni Infantino had promised the 2030 World Cup final to Morocco in exchange for political backing.
The official position therefore remains unchanged: FIFA has not yet designated the stadium that will host the final.
Lekjaa says the final will be played in Casablanca
The controversy comes as Fouzi Lekjaa himself stated on Thursday that the final would be held in the Casablanca region.
During a political event in Bouznika, the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation declared that the province of Benslimane would have the honour of hosting the final.
The future Grand Stade Hassan II is located precisely in this province. The complex is expected to have a planned capacity of 115,000 seats and represents an investment of around one billion dollars.
But this announcement does not yet amount to an official FIFA decision.
Spain and Morocco still competing for the final
The race to stage the final remains open.
Morocco is promoting the candidacy of the Grand Stade Hassan II, while Spain also wants to host the most important match of the tournament.
Rafael Louzán, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, has recently reiterated his support for the idea of a final in Spain.
FIFA therefore still has to make the final decision on the venue.
African backing for Infantino at the heart of tensions
This issue is unfolding against a tense political backdrop within FIFA.
Gianni Infantino is preparing for the presidential election scheduled for March 2027. He continues to enjoy the backing of CAF and several African federations.
By contrast, several European federations have recently distanced themselves. On 10 September, the French Football Federation announced it was withdrawing its support for Infantino, citing a breakdown in trust and disagreements over FIFA’s governance.
Reuters reports that Morocco is among Infantino’s public supporters. The African source quoted by the agency says that some officials link this close relationship to the question of the 2030 final.
FIFA decision on 2030 World Cup final still pending
At this stage, two separate aspects need to be distinguished.
On one side, Fouzi Lekjaa claims that the final will be played in the Casablanca region. On the other, FIFA has still not officially announced the venue.
In between, Reuters reports suspicions within African football circles, but provides no evidence of any deal between Infantino and Lekjaa.
The final decision still rests with FIFA. The organisation will have to choose between the different bids and officially confirm the stadium selected to host the 2030 World Cup final.
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