CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Morocco and Spain are arguing over the right to host the 2030 World Cup final — with besieged FIFA boss Gianni Infantino hovering backstage.
FIFA has yet to officially announce which country will host the biggest match of the biggest event in soccer. And even though the 2026 edition just finished with Spain winning the title this summer, Moroccan and Spanish officials are staking their claim on the next final.
The tussle over the soccer match also comes with Spain still reeling from a massive border crossing by tens of thousands of migrants who pushed through the frontier from Morocco into the north African Spanish enclave in late July.
The head of Moroccan soccer boasted that his country had it locked up on Thursday.
“The city of Benslimane will host the World Cup final. Hate it or love it, and if anyone wants to talk on top of that, let them talk,” Moroccan federation president Fouzi Lakjaa told a political rally.
“The city is Benslimane, the Hassan II stadium is the stadium, and I hope that Morocco will be playing it,” he added.
This week, the head of the Spanish soccer federation, Rafael Louzán, insisted it was Spain that deserved the game, while acknowledging that it has not been guaranteed that honor.
“We all signed to accept the candidacy … it’s too bad that, regarding the final, it wasn’t made clear, totally clear, where it is to be played,” Louzán said. “Spain, as world champion both in men’s and women’s soccer, must host the final.”
European soccer officials believe that the sprawling, multi-nation 2030 event, which includes Portugal and even a handful of games in South America, should be considered a European event with the final on the continent.
In a request for comment by the Associated Press on Thursday, FIFA said its decision will be made “in due course."
The dispute over the final comes with Infantino under intense pressure after UEFA, the umbrella organization of European soccer federations, led a successful revolt to scuttle his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup.
By contrast, six Arab nation federations, including Morocco’s, have backed him since that fiasco.
The King Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca is being built in Benslimane, on the outskirts of Casablanca. It is planned to seat 115,000 spectators. Spain can offer the home stadiums of Real Madrid or Barcelona as potential sites for the final.
Infantino has recently made two trips to Morocco, meeting with King Mohammed VI during annual celebrations of his ascent to the throne in July and then holding a FIFA crisis meeting there in August.
When confirmed three years ago, the joint candidacy between Spain, Portugal and Morocco looked like a perfect event to bridge Europe and Africa and strengthen bonds between the western Mediterranean neighbors.
But the dispute over the final comes with diplomatic tensions between Madrid and Rabat already frayed over who was responsible when tens of thousands of mostly Moroccans driven by posts on social media pushed into the small Spanish enclave of Ceuta that borders Morocco. Spain's prime minister said 140 people died in the crossing.
Spain’s government has been under political pressure at home to get tough on Morocco, which it has said acted in good faith in the border crisis. Spanish police assessments couldn’t rule out complicity by Moroccan security forces but said that it was unlikely the Moroccan government had intentionally orchestrated it.
Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain. AP sports writer Graham Dunbar in Geneva, Switzerland, contributed.
See AP’s full soccer coverage here
FILE - CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino wave from the tribune during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between South Africa and Cameroon in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)
The Jacksonville Jaguars need to get two-way standout Travis Hunter more involved on offense.
Brian Thomas Jr. dropped two passes in a 20-13 loss at Denver on Sunday, again raising concerns about his dependability. A first-round draft pick who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2024, Thomas ranked second in the NFL with 10 drops last season and seemed to shy away from contact almost weekly.
His struggles had Jaguars coach Liam Coen ready to make Hunter the team’s go-to receiver last October. Days later, Hunter tore a ligament in his right knee in practice and missed the rest of the season.
With Hunter sidelined, the Jaguars (1-1) traded for veteran Jakobi Meyers, witnessed the emergence of Parker Washington and found ways to get more out of Thomas.
Now, though, Hunter deserves another shot beginning with Sunday's home game against New England (1-1).
After all, Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said Hunter has “the capacity to alter the trajectory of the sport.” Jacksonville has no idea whether that’s even a possibility until the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner truly plays both ways.
He played just four offensive snaps in the season opener, a victory against Cleveland. He was slightly more involved against the Broncos, getting on the field for seven offensive snaps.
But he’s been mostly a decoy so far; he’s yet to be targeted beyond the line of scrimmage.
“We got to go look at it and see if we can find some more ways to get him some opportunities,” Coen said.
Hunter last season rarely looked like a player worth what Jacksonville gave up to draft him — Gladstone traded four picks to Cleveland to move up three spots to No. 2 — and often appeared confused about where to line up on offense.
But coaches and teammates believe the few plays he made in 2025 were enough to prove he’s got a chance to be special. He clearly needs a chance.
The Jaguars appear to have one of the better run defenses in the league. A year after leading the league in that category, they allowed 104 yards on the ground at Denver. They gave up 87 yards rushing against Cleveland in the opener.
It’s the kind of defensive approach that can dictate games. It worked well against the Browns, but not good enough against the Broncos down the stretch. Rookie Jonah Coleman ran for 39 yards and a touchdown, helping Denver run out the clock in a close game, after J.K. Dobbins left with an injury.
Jacksonville failed to sack Bo Nix and barely pressured him. Linebacker Dennis Gardeck led the team with two QB hits, and Travon Walker got one. But Josh Hines-Allen was mostly a no-show on the opposite side, the kind of absentee performance the Jaguars can’t afford.
It was a stark contrast from the opener against the Browns, in which Walker and Hines-Allen were a dominant duo.
Parker Washington was the team’s best receiver for the second consecutive week. He caught seven passes for 98 yards, including a 32-yarder that set up a touchdown. He had five receptions for 83 yards and a score last week against the Browns.
It's more proof that the Jaguars can't afford to lose Washington in free agency next year.
Lawrence was mostly ineffective. He completed 17 of 29 passes for 189 yards, with an interception. He was sacked twice and ran twice for 6 yards. He also had an early fumble that was overturned by penalty. He looked nothing like the guy who threw four TD passes against the Browns and carried the Jags into the playoffs down the stretch last year.
Defensive tackle DeVon Hamilton tweaked his lower back late in the game but was able to return. Right tackle Cole Van Lanen played his first complete game since tearing a knee ligament in January and having surgery. Van Lanen played fairly well despite giving up a sack.
3-12 — Jacksonville's all-time record against New England. It's the franchise's lowest winning percentage against any AFC team. The Jaguars have won the last two meetings in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars showed they have a small margin for error against Denver, so they need to limit turnovers, sacks, penalties and blown coverages to improve their chances.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence calls a play in the first half of an NFL football game between the Jaguars and the Denver Broncos in Denver, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen responds to a question during a news conference after an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos running back Jonah Coleman (20) is hit by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Travis Hunter (12) after Coleman caught a pass in the first half of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Lutzens)
