Rabat – Morocco has committed around MAD 20 billion (nearly $2 billion) for the rehabilitation of six football stadiums and the construction of a new one in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and the 2030 World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
The financial pledge was made as part of a partnership agreement the Moroccan government and Group CDG signed today.
The agreement encompasses the upgrading of six football stadiums in Tangier, Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir, Marrakech, and Fez, along with the construction of a new stadium in Benslimane.
This 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.
During the first phase, projected to last from 2023 to 2025, Morocco will focus on upgrading and renovating the six stadiums with a budget of MAD 9.5 billion for the continental tournament.
Following this, a second upgrade phase will take place between 2025 and 2028, with an estimated budget ranging from MAD 4.5 to 6 billion.
In addition, a budget of MAD 5 million will be allocated for the construction of the new stadium in Benslimane.
They emphasized the commitment to ensuring that the upcoming sporting events meet international standards and expectations.
The allocated funds come shortly after FIFA awarded Morocco, Spain, and Portugal the hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup, and the unanimous vote by the CAF executive committee in favor of Morocco to host the 2025 AFCON.
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.
