Jose Mourinho prefers 2030 World Cup final to be in Lisbon

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has stated his preference for the 2030 FIFA World Cup final to be held in Lisbon, amidst ongoing discussions about the tournament’s venue.

Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are set to co-host the 2030 World Cup. Speaking at a press conference on September 11 ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, Mourinho was asked about his preferred location for the final match, scheduled to take place in four years.

He told Spanish newspaper AS, as quoted by Goal.com, “There is a difference between where the match should be held, and where I would wish it to be held.” Mourinho added, “Forgive me, I would like it to be in Lisbon.”

He further explained, “I will give an answer not because I am the Real Madrid manager, but because if you can play in a legendary and historic stadium, where some of the best players in the history of the game have played… then it should be here. And I would say the same thing if I were Benfica’s manager.”

The remarks follow controversy surrounding the venue for the 2030 final after Royal Moroccan Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa claimed the Benslimane province in Morocco would host the match. Lekjaa made this assertion during an event organised by the Authenticity and Modernity Party in Bouznika on September 10.

He referred to the Grand Stade Hassan II, a 115,000-capacity stadium currently under construction, as the proposed location. However, FIFA has since denied these claims. According to Marca, a FIFA official stated that no promises have been made to Morocco regarding the final venue and that “the decision will be taken at the appropriate time.”