Morocco and its key development projects in preparation for hosting the 2030 World Cup

The 2030 World Cup, the prestigious football tournament, will be organised and hosted for the first time by an African country, Morocco, in partnership with two European states, Portugal and Spain, a milestone in the union of these Atlantic and Mediterranean countries. 

The organisation of any World Cup involves the deployment of a significant amount of organisation, security and communication resources. For the transcontinental World Cup, the requirements are even greater due to the need to meet the requirements set and develop joint strategies between three nations. Undoubtedly, the focus must be on synchronisation between venues, with Morocco and Spain already enjoying diligent cooperation and dialogue links that will facilitate the future of this challenge.

Morocco is carefully strengthening its internal security system, especially with regard to the infrastructure required for the event. This is being done under the supervision of King Mohammed VI, who is closely directing the preparations for this international event, which will take place in six cities in the North African host country: Casablanca, Marrakesh, Tangier, Rabat, Agadir and Fez.

The Moroccan government has rolled out a comprehensive programme to modernise facilities and upgrade the networks connecting the various areas of the country in a dynamic manner. 

This investment is evident in the airport sector, where capacity is being expanded to accommodate the expected increase in visitors to the event, in addition to the fact that the Kingdom of Morocco is already an attractive tourist destination and a hub for business and trade. This is all part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country's airports as global gateways, mainly targeting the most important ones, such as Casablanca Mohamed V Airport, and also to respond to the growing demand from domestic and international travellers, with a focus on improvements for the flag carrier Royal Air Maroc (RAM). 

This expansion of international connectivity is an opening to new routes and marks the success of the government's plan to boost the North African country's transport infrastructure, fulfil Morocco's ambitions and reflect Moroccan hospitality. The ‘Airports 2030’ strategy announced by the Director General of the National Airports Office, Adel El Fakir, is central to this forward-looking approach and to meeting international standards.

As part of the ‘Airports 2030’ project, a programme worth approximately 28 billion dirhams was announced at the beginning of the week by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, for the construction of a new airport in Casablanca, thus fulfilling the expectation of connecting Morocco with the rest of the world, particularly in terms of long-haul destinations. In addition, the airports of Rabat-Salé, Fez and Sania-Ramel, among the most prominent, will be expanded, thus including the cities that will host the World Cup matches and neighbouring cities. The aim is to meet the target of 80 million passengers by 2030 and to take advantage of the strategic importance of all areas of the country. 

The success of these conditions for progress is due to direct collaboration between institutions and the work of all those involved in this development programme, which focuses on technological transformation and includes measures that also address contemporary environmental challenges. 

This is an opportunity and a sign of confidence in Moroccan projects to advance in the area of global development beyond organising football matches and enhancing the position of the Moroccan kingdom in the continental and international arena through this moment of unity that will provide the essence of sport, but which is also a strategic space to catalyse its influence. It also opens the door to the dynamics of Spanish-Portuguese-Moroccan relations and the union of the Old Continent and the African continent.