Lajji: The Final is Morocco's and Africa's Right
Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, stated that Morocco will continue to defend its right and that of the African continent to host the 2030 World Cup final, emphasizing that organizing the tournament between Morocco, Spain, and Portugal relies on cooperation rather than competition among the three countries.
Lekjaa, in an interview with "Jeune Afrique," said: "Morocco represents Africa," adding: "We are not three countries in a competitive context, but in a framework of integration, at the intersection of civilizations and cultures."
The president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation continued: "We will always be here to defend the rights of the Kingdom of Morocco and Africa, which has, in my opinion, the right to host the World Cup final for the second time in a century," referring to Morocco's desire to host the final match at the Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane.
Regarding the process of determining the stadium that will host the final, Lekjaa clarified that Morocco, Spain, and Portugal have welcomed teams from FIFA, stating: "We hosted, like our Spanish and Portuguese friends, the FIFA team, which visited all the proposed cities and infrastructure... Decisions will emerge thereafter, according to the specified timelines."
Lekjaa linked the 2030 World Cup organization to the development path Morocco has witnessed in recent years, confirming that preparations for the tournament will accelerate the completion of several projects, adding: "We will be forced to shorten the timelines for completing some transportation projects, such as the high-speed train, highways, and airports, to meet the crucial deadline of 2030."
The president also highlighted the economic and social aspects of the World Cup, especially for youth, stating: "Hundreds of thousands of Moroccan and African youth, because this World Cup is an African World Cup, will have the opportunity for training, skill development, and expanding their businesses... Startups will turn into small or medium enterprises, and medium projects will become large."
Lekjaa praised the Mediterranean dimension of the tournament, saying: "We are on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, a region known for its history, civilization, and coexistence of religions and languages," considering that the 2030 World Cup represents an opportunity to enhance rapprochement between Africa and Europe.
