Fouzi Lekjaa (left) with Fifa president Gianni Infantino during this summer's World Cup, which was co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico Morocco's prime minister has told the head of the country's football federation to stop making promises about the 2030 World Cup final as Spain says they should stage it.
The next men's World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco, Spain and Portugal, although the opening three matches will be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to mark the competition's 100th anniversary.
While a list of host stadiums has been proposed, the line-up has yet to be finalised, as well as where the showpiece will take place. Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan football federation (RMFF), declared at a political party event Casablanca would have the 'honour' of hosting the game.
Fifa, world football's governing body and organisers of the World Cup, said "a decision will be made in due course". At a rally, Morocco's prime minister Aziz Akhannouch also told Lekjaa: "Do not offer to host the big final game in Morocco while we still have not discussed the matter with our allies, Spain and Portugal." "There should be some respect, brothers.
Stop using electoral promises to pull the rug out from under us. Deciding where the final will be held is a major issue." Rafael Louzan, president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), has previously said the final will be held in Spain, and felt their claim has been strengthened by winning the men's World Cup for the second time this summer.
"Even though no decision has been taken, I believe Spain is the place because it cannot be any other way," he told Cadena SER radio station.