As Spain’s football federation president Pedro Rocha publicly insists that the 2030 World Cup final “must be played at the Bernabéu,” his bold statement has reignited debate over which city truly deserves to host the most anticipated match of the tournament. But beyond this vocal push lies a deeper reality—one that increasingly points to Morocco as the strongest and most credible contender for the honor.
Though Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabéu has recently undergone major renovations, the stadium has already become the subject of mounting criticism. Spanish media outlets have reported water leaks inside the venue during early autumn rains, with entire sections meant for fans and VIP guests affected. Real Madrid itself is said to have raised concerns about construction flaws, particularly related to waterproofing issues that appeared as early as fall 2025.
Adding to the doubts surrounding Madrid’s readiness, the city was recently shaken by a tragic train accident that claimed around 50 lives. The catastrophe has once again highlighted concerns about whether the city’s aging infrastructure could handle the enormous pressure of hosting a global event of this scale.
In contrast, Morocco has been making a much stronger case. The country is currently building what will become the largest stadium on the planet in Ben Slimane, a cutting-edge facility designed from the ground up to meet FIFA’s highest standards in terms of safety, technology, and capacity. This comes on the heels of Morocco’s widely praised hosting of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, during which the country showcased its growing organizational prowess and world-class infrastructure.
Even when issues arose during that tournament—namely, the controversial end to the final; none of the blame was placed on the Moroccan authorities or their logistics. The disruption stemmed from a voluntary withdrawal by the Senegalese players, not from any structural or operational failure on Morocco’s part.
In terms of performance, Morocco’s stadiums stood up impressively to the challenges posed by extreme weather. Despite heavy rains in recent weeks, none of the pitches flooded, and no matches were postponed or rescheduled due to weather—something that can’t be said for several European stadiums, including those in Spain, where rainfall often results in serious degradation and delays. Observers across the football world took note of Morocco’s resilient infrastructure, especially the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium, which delivered flawless pitch conditions throughout the tournament.
But Morocco’s strengths go beyond logistics. Geographically, the country offers a strategic bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Arab world—an ideal setting for a global final meant to unite continents. Africa has hosted the World Cup only once, in 2010 in South Africa, and after a 16-year wait, many feel the time has come to bring the final back to African soil. In the unique tripartite arrangement between Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, holding the final in Africa would offer the most balanced and symbolically powerful choice.
While declarations from national federations make headlines, the ultimate decision rests with FIFA. Yet when all key factors are weighed, state-of-the-art facilities, proven organizational capacity, safety, political stability, and historical symbolism; Morocco emerges not just as a viable option, but as the most compelling candidate to host the 2030 World Cup final.
