World's biggest football stadium set to be snubbed to host 2030 World Cup final

It was seen as a strong contender to host the 2030 World Cup final but a new report suggests the soon-to-be-historic Grand Stade Hassan II de Casablanca stadium will not stage the showpiece event.

For the first time ever, three countries from two continents – Spain, Portugal and Morocco – will host the World Cup, while cities like Barcelona, Lisbon, Las Palmas, Madrid, Agadir, and Zaragoza are set to host matches.

Last year, Morocco launched plans to build the world's largest stadium, the Grand Stade Hassan II – a 115,000-capacity arena that will include 32 stairways, botanical gardens at ground level and a 100-hectare sports and leisure district.

The stadium will also feature three steep, compact tiers, accommodating 29,500 spectators at each end of the bowl. Additionally, five tiers of hospitality seats are also planned, including VIP and hospitality boxes that will cater up to 12,000 spectators.

Tarik Oualalou, who is the lead architect for the stadium, gave an insight into its design.

"[The design] is rooted in ancient and primordial figures: the Moussem, the tent, and the garden, as well as the topography and landscapes of Morocco," he said.

The Grand Stade Hassan II in Morocco. Image credit: Populous

Image credit: Populous

"It’s a generous space, open to the world and respectful to the nature it protects. The Grand Stade Hassan II de Casablanca is the embodiment of the great tradition of Moroccan hospitality."

Work on the stadium is already underway in the Benslimane province just east of Casablanca, and back in May, it was reported that the stadium could host the World Cup final following its competition in late 2027.

But a report from Spanish publication Marca suggests the 85,000-capacity Santiago Bernabeu stadium is now expected to host the final after an agreement was reached between FIFA and Real Madrid.

"FIFA has never hidden its desire to see the final at Madrid's stadium," said the report.

"The final is a sure thing, but the federation needs to be smart. FIFA will open an office in Rabat after the summer, once Moroccan authorities have already approved the launch of a World Cup office in the capital."

The Bernabeu is set to host the 2030 World Cup final, according to reports. Image credit: Getty

The stadiums proposed to host the final were the Bernabeu, the Nou Camp and Morocco's Grand Stade Hassan II, but it appears FIFA have made their call.