Morocco set to compete with Real Madrid for 2030 World Cup final

The 2030 edition of the tournament will be held across Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu has been regarded as the most likely destination for the final, but The Times reports the African nation has made a bid to pip the Spanish capital to it.

The trio of host nations were announced earlier this month. It is the first time that three countries from two continents have hosted the tournament.

However, the competition will spill over to another continent and three more countries, as commemorative matches will take place in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to mark the 100th anniversary of the World Cup.

FIFA has not yet made a decision on where the final will be held, but it had been expected that Madrid's stadium would win out. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti backed the plan, saying earlier this month: "The World Cup final has to be in Madrid, because it’s the capital of Spain, and in the Bernabeu because it will be the best stadium in the world. I think it’s very good for Spanish football and for this country. The happiness of this news isn’t going to be affected by some games being played in South America, Portugal or Morocco, it’s very good news."

FIFA still has to declare where the final for the 2026 World Cup final will be held, too. That competition will be stretched across Canada, United States and Mexico.