Doha – FIFA officially announced on Wednesday that Morocco, along with Spain and Portugal, will host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, marking a historic milestone as Morocco becomes the second African nation to host the tournament after South Africa in 2010.
The announcement was made by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during FIFA’s virtual extraordinary Congress, where the governing body also awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia.
The joint bid, named “Yalla Vamos,” represents the collaborative effort between Morocco, Spain and Portugal to unite different continents through sport’s universal language.
In his address, Fouzi Lekjaa, President of Morocco’s Football Federation (FRMF) emphasized the importance of the bid, extending his thanks to FIFA and the football community for contributing to making Morocco’s hosting the event possible.
He stressed that the decision is a testament to the three countries’ commitment to growth and development, noting that sports, especially football serve as a powerful leverage for socio-economic progress and the betterment of humanity.
The bid was presented with a captivating visual presentation, showcasing iconic football players who represent the three countries, including Portugal’s Luis Figo and Morocco’s Nordin Naybet.
The presentation underlined the unique strengths of each host nation, spotlighting their football legacy alongside touristic landmarks, culinary traditions, and cultural heritage.
One of the key infrastructure highlights is the planned 5,000-kilometer railway network that aims to connect Lisbon, Madrid, and Casablanca in just three hours.
The tournament carries special significance as it marks exactly 100 years since Uruguay hosted the inaugural World Cup in 1930.
In this sense, the 2030 edition will feature a unique format, beginning with three opening matches in South America before moving to the main hosts for the remaining 101 matches scheduled between June 13 and July 21, 2030.
Morocco’s bid, which recently received an outstanding score from FIFA exceeding requirements, was discussed during a recent Council of Ministers meeting chaired by King Mohammed VI.
The King announced expanded plans for the tournament, solidifying Morocco’s commitment to delivering world-class facilities.
Central to Morocco’s World Cup preparations is the ambitious Hassan II Stadium project near Casablanca, with an estimated budget of €480 million.
The planned 115,000-seat venue aims to become the world’s largest football stadium and is being considered as a potential venue for the tournament’s final, competing with Spain’s iconic Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid and Camp Nou in Barcelona.
Six Moroccan cities—Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir—will host matches, requiring significant infrastructure upgrades.
Casablanca has particularly impressed FIFA officials, earning a 4.7 out of 5 rating, supported by its extensive 80-kilometer tramway network and comprehensive railway system.
The tournament’s organization will be split among the three main hosts, with Spain contributing 11 venues, Portugal offering three stadiums, and Morocco developing multiple facilities.
Spain is expected to play a pivotal role with the majority of proposed venues, while Portugal hopes to host one of the semi-finals.
The 2030 World Cup marks a significant achievement for Morocco after five unsuccessful bids spanning three decades.
The country’s successful co-hosting bid follows its national team’s historic performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals.
The tournament will begin with symbolic matches in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay on June 8 and 9, 2030, commemorating the centenary of the first World Cup, before moving to Morocco, Spain, and Portugal for the remainder of the competition.
