Following Morocco’s quarter-final exit against France, the country’s football federation (FRMF) faces an immediate challenge. There is no respite for officials, as preparations for upcoming tournaments intensify.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) kicks off in Rabat this Sunday, just a week after the World Cup final in New Jersey. Additionally, Morocco will host the Under-17 Women’s World Cup later this fall.
However, the primary concern remains the 2030 World Cup, co-hosted with Spain and Portugal, which is less than 1,400 days away. Ensuring meticulous planning and management for Africa’s second World Cup is paramount.
With an estimated budget of 50-60 billion Moroccan dirhams (£4bn-£4.8bn) allocated for direct football investments, alongside an additional £17bn for infrastructure enhancements, the undertaking is formidable. An International Monetary Fund analysis indicates that the accelerated spending from 2024 to 2030 could represent approximately 11.9% of Morocco’s GDP in 2024.
The Morocco 2030 Foundation, established to oversee the tournament’s preparations starting in 2024, has engaged extensively with U.S. counterparts to gain insights from their World Cup organization.
Regular meetings with representatives from Spain and Portugal occur each month to synchronize efforts. FIFA is expected to announce the host cities by the end of this year and may return to the local organizing committee model, which was set aside during the recent tournament.
“The World Cup, for Morocco, is beyond football; it is about developing infrastructure that would be beneficial for the country going forward,” remarked a senior official who requested anonymity. “Our stadiums in Rabat and Tangier are 100% ready.”
King Hassan II initiated Morocco’s ambitions to host the World Cup following a failed bid for the 1994 tournament. Since then, three additional attempts—2006, 2010, and 2026—were unsuccessful until Morocco secured its 2030 hosting rights under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
“Being in my 40s, I bear testimony to all the unsuccessful bids to host the World Cup,” stated journalist Amine El Amri. “Hosting a World Cup is a project that engages every Moroccan in a common dream, knowing that a World Cup comes with a cost, but also with a huge boost to the infrastructure of a very young and very demanding society.”
Abderrahim Bourkia, a sports sociologist at the Institute of Sports Science in Settat, acknowledges the skepticism surrounding the event’s significance.
“Others with political positions wonder whether the huge investments should be directed toward education, health, or employment,”
“Social status and educational background can shape perceptions too. Public opinion, therefore, remains somewhat ambivalent, reflecting differences in social background, political views, and economic expectations. “Morocco is investing heavily in transport infrastructure, airports, railways, stadiums, urban renewal and digital services. Beyond physical infrastructure, the country is strengthening its institutional capacity to organise mega-events, coordinate policies and improve governance.”
“Our experience shows that ‘success’ lies in planning for legacy, promoting national unity and ensuring infrastructure does not become a burden over the long term,”
he added.
Morocco would benefit from the lessons learned during South Africa’s 2010 World Cup. “Some stadiums can become a burden on the fiscus, if not utilised optimally. I don’t believe we built white elephants, but we may not have learned how to position these venues as multi-purpose venues, for concerts of global performers, multi-sports use, church and massive political events.” advised Dennis Mumble, former CEO of the South African Football Association and a member of the 2010 World Cup’s local organizing committee.
“There were significant cost overruns on the stadium development because the contractors knew the government approved the funds quite late. The result was predatory pricing imposed by contractors who knew we had no choice but to pay whatever they charged. “They were later [criminally] charged and convicted, paying relatively steep fines for this unlawful conduct. Planning to the most minute detail became everything for us.”
he cautioned.
Many Moroccans express concerns regarding the financial implications of hosting the World Cup. Mumble offers a cautionary account from South Africa’s experience.
“There were significant cost overruns in stadium development because contractors were aware that the government approved funds quite late. This led to predatory pricing, as they knew we had no choice but to accept their charges.”
“Those contractors were later criminally charged and convicted, incurring substantial fines for their unlawful actions. Detailed planning became essential for us.”
Morocco is promoting its co-hosting of the World Cup as an event infused with “African colors.” However, many within the continent’s football community, particularly in sub-Saharan nations, question whether there will be tangible legacy benefits beyond promotional slogans.
Over the last decade, the FRMF has established bilateral cooperation agreements with most African football federations. With nearly half of African nations lacking quality pitches for international matches, forcing them to play abroad, Moroccan officials highlight a partnership with the Confederation of African Football as part of their World Cup legacy initiative.
Mumble advises that managing global reputational challenges will be as crucial for Morocco as the logistical preparations, especially with the nation’s political, economic, and social issues likely to attract significant media scrutiny.
This is a lesson well understood by Qatar, which faced intense criticism during the 2022 World Cup regarding migrant worker fatalities and human rights violations.
