Marrakech – Morocco has revealed the design of the new 115,000-seat Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca, where the country aims to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final.
According to Spanish media outlets Marca and El Independiente, the stadium is part of Morocco’s bid to co-host the 2030 tournament alongside Spain and Portugal.
The stadium design, created by British firm Populous, was presented in a meeting between Fouzi Lekjaa, president of Morocco’s World Cup Committee, and Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit.
While Spanish newspaper Marca claims that FIFA has already decided the 2030 World Cup final will be held at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium, Morocco remains confident in its ability to secure the final presenting its state-of-the-art Casablanca venue.
El Independiente reports that the Hassan II stadium will have a capacity of 115,000, potentially making it the largest in football history.
Inspired by traditional Moroccan “mussem” social gatherings, the stadium will feature a large tent-like roof covering the stands.
Construction of the 100-hectare site is set to begin in August and be completed by 2028, with an estimated budget of MAD 5 billion (approximately $500 million).
In addition to the main stadium, the complex will include auxiliary facilities for athletes, officials, operators, organizers and spectators. The expansive site allows for potential future expansion or remodeling of the project.
“The Casablanca stadium, personally overseen by King Mohammed VI, is exceptional by all standards and will be the largest and finest football landmark in the world,” stated Fouzi Lekjaa, president of Morocco’s World Cup Committee to the press.
Morocco joined the Spain-Portugal 2030 World Cup bid last year, replacing Ukraine. The North African nation has been assertive in its desire to play a leading role in the tournament, even releasing an initial bid logo, according to El Independiente.
FIFA recently confirmed Spain will have host tournaments in eleven cities, Morocco in six, and Portugal in three, but stadium and final match details have not been yet announced.
However, this initial allocation has been called into question following reports that Morocco, Portugal, and FIFA have opposed Spain’s proposal to offer 13 stadiums as venues.
As preparations advance, more details on the roles and responsibilities of the three co-hosts are expected to emerge in the lead-up to FIFA’s December 2024 decision on the winning bid.
Read also: Spanish Media Insist FIFA Prefers World Cup 2030 Final at Spain’s Bernabeu
