Morocco to build and upgrade stadiums before 2030 World Cup

Morocco plans to build a large stadium in Benslimane, near Casablanca, and upgrade six others in preparation for co-hosting the 2030 World Cup, says news agency Reuters.

The Grand Adrar stadium in Agadir (Photo: AdobeStock)

A deal was signed the same day between the government and state-owned fund CDG to finance the new stadium to be ready by 2028 for a total cost of 5 billion dirhams (US$500 million), the prime minister’s office said in a statement.

The refurbishments are estimated to cost a total of US$1.4 billion between now and 2028. 

The six stadiums- to be renovated to host the African cup of nations in 2025 and the 2030 World Cup- are in the cities of Agadir, Casablanca Fez, Marrakech, Rabat and Tangier, it said.

According to Morocco World News, the funding aims to ensure that the stadiums meet the standards that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has set for the 2025 AFCON, as well as the requirements FIFA has set for the 2030 World Cup.

FMRF’s President Fouzi Lekjaa said that stadium renovation work has already started and it “will progress at a pace that guarantees the successful organization of both tournaments”.