The political and sporting factors shaping the 2030 World Cup and its final

On Sep 13, 2026

While Spain and Morocco wage a media and public battle over the 2030 World Cup final, FIFA remains largely detached from the controversy. An official decision is not expected for another year at the earliest, and could even come in 2028. For now, however, the outlook appears fairly clear in Zurich: The Santiago Bernabéu is being pointed to as the venue for the decisive match, with one semifinal in Casablanca and the other in Barcelona.

Nothing has changed from what has previously been reported, despite the spark that appears to have been lit between the two countries. Spain carries significant weight in the soccer world despite the noise surrounding the issue, something FIFA has never hidden. It is also true that Morocco has taken major steps forward at every level, but it remains some way behind Spain’s standing in the global soccer landscape.

An unwritten understanding over 2030 World Cup final

As this newspaper has reported, Real Madrid and FIFA president Gianni Infantino reached an unwritten understanding some time ago based on the belief that the final should be played at the Bernabéu. The relationship between Infantino and Real Madrid has cooled somewhat, particularly after the club issued a statement regarding a move planned by the FIFA president, but that does not mean the plan has been forgotten.

FIFA is also operating amid a period of uncertainty that will not be fully resolved until March, when the presidential election takes place. Infantino is already campaigning. Another key date will come in late November, when it will be known whether he will face an opponent in the election. Either way, the process should clear up many of the questions surrounding the 2030 World Cup and the soccer world more broadly.

FIFA PUSHES BACK ON MOROCCO’S CLAIM TO HOST 2030 WORLD CUP FINAL

FIFA has moved to clarify that no decision has been made on the venue for the 2030 World Cup final, after the president of Morocco’s football federation publicly declared the match would be played in Casablanca. A… https://t.co/BevLXsSEhi

— THE WORLD CORRESPONDENT (@TheWorldCorresp) September 10, 2026

The same story keeps resurfacing, with the 2030 World Cup final at its center, but it also highlights how far the project’s cooperation and understanding are from ideal. Every so often, Spain and Morocco speculate about which city will host the final, triggering debates that in some cases reveal a lack of understanding about what is actually happening around the next major men’s World Cup. More importantly, they show that harmony is not exactly the guiding principle of the World Cup project.

Morocco, the last of the three host countries to join the organization of the World Cup, has gained increasing political prominence in recent months. Repeated displays of propaganda touting the quality of its stadiums, along with certain gestures from Infantino, have fueled uncertainty in the media and among the public.

When the three countries were still bidding to host the tournament, they established a roadmap that included the Bernabéu as the venue for the final. However, no document was ever signed, reflecting the reality that FIFA ultimately makes all the decisions as the organizer of the World Cup.

FIFA set to take control

FIFA will assume full control of the World Cup in the coming months. The first step will be to establish the the organizational structure that will oversee the tournament, a move that has yet to take place. In fact, no paperwork or meetings related to the start of that process have taken place within the organization so far.

Once that structure is in place, FIFA will take control of the World Cup and decide which venues remain in contention to host matches. The first step will be to review the documentation again, visit the cities involved and assess the progress of construction at new stadiums, as well as the work being carried out to bring existing venues into line with FIFA’s requirements.

Everything will ultimately go through FIFA. The final of the last World Cup, held July 19 in New Jersey, was originally scheduled to take place in Dallas, but the venue was changed in 2024.

That is worth emphasizing because the controversy surrounding the latest World Cup final does not exist within FIFA. Its executives will once again visit the stadiums and cities hoping to remain in contention, but the race will not have an official framework for another year.