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World's biggest stadium with 115,000 capacity will NOT host World Cup final… despite being built for 2030 showpiece

World's biggest stadium with 115,000 capacity will NOT host World Cup final… despite being built for 2030 showpiece

The Sun18-07-2025
WHAT will become the world's biggest stadium will NOT host the World Cup final, despite being built specifically for the tournament.
The 2030 World Cup will mark the 100th anniversary of the first ever edition held back in 1930.
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For the most part, it will be hosted by three different countries: Spain Portugal and Morocco, with the stretch across two continents making it the first of its kind.
And last year, the latter nation announced plans to build a stunning 115,000-capacity stadium ready for sports' biggest event, known as the Grand Stade Hassan II.
The stadium will feature 32 stairways, botanical gardens and a 100-hectare sports and leisure district.
Work on the project is already underway in the Benslimane province just east of Casablanca, with the build possibly being completed as soon as 2027 - ahead of initial 2028 estimates.
However, Spanish publication Marca have suggested the bespoke stadium will not host the final.
Instead, the report claims that honour will fall to Madrid 's Bernabeu stadium, which comparatively holds 85,000 fans.
But an agreement has reportedly been reached between Fifa and Real Madrid over its use for the final.
It's claimed Fifa have never hidden its desire to place the final of the World Cup at the Bernabeu stadium.
Morocco will be the first-ever Northern African nation to host the World Cup, and were the first African nation to reach the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022.
An estimated £400million is set to be spent on building the state-of-the-art Grand Stade Hassan II and improving the surrounding infrastructure.
Each end has been crafted into a bowl shape to maximise the fan experience through the sights and sounds.
Five tiers of hospitality are also being built into the stadium to host the rich and famous.
Up to 12,000 ultra-luxurious boxes will be available to VIPs as well as a custom "royal box" for special guests.
Outside of the ground, the bizarre yet unforgettable style of the stadium is set to provide a unique fan experience.
The inspiration comes from traditional Moroccan "Moussem tents", say designers, Populous.
Concept pictures of the Grande Stade Hassan II show the structure is being made of giant aluminium sheets which appear to be slightly see through to allow for natural light.
The tented roof also covers "an oasis of greenery" which is being added to the area and built into the stadium.
Additional basketball and football pitches will also be available for fans inside the ground, according to previously released images.
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