Akhannouch Leads Review of Stadium Upgrades for AFCON 2025, World Cup 2030

Rabat – Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch chaired a meeting on Thursday, in Rabat to oversee the progress of stadium projects for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah, Minister of Education Mohamed Saad Barada, and Minister Delegate for the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa.

During the session, the committee reviewed the renovation progress of the nine stadiums set to host AFCON 2025. The projects remain on schedule, with all venues expected to be fully operational between March and August 2025.

The committee also assessed the construction of the Hassan II Stadium in Benslimane, which is being built to meet FIFA standards. The stadium is expected to be completed by December 2027 in preparation for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to sports infrastructure development, Akhannouch stated that all necessary conditions are being ensured for Morocco to successfully host both tournaments, in line with the high directives of King Mohammed VI.

The Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca is undergoing construction, set to become one of the world’s largest football stadiums. With a planned capacity of 115,000 spectators, the state-of-the-art venue will far exceed FIFA’s minimum requirement of 80,000 seats for hosting an opening match or final.

A FIFA report detailed that the stadium will feature modern infrastructure and state-of-the-art installations while incorporating elements of traditional Moroccan architecture. Sustainability and community integration will also be key aspects of the design.

The stadium will be strategically located between Casablanca and Rabat, in a newly developed area that will be connected by a continental highway and a planned high-speed rail link.