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As Morocco is gearing up to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, the North African country has announced plans to create special judicial committees inside stadiums.
The instances aim to handle fan incidents quickly during the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi announced the move as part of broader legal reforms ahead of the global event, noting that the committees are designed to prevent courts from getting crowded with minor cases during the tournament.
“Committees presided over by prosecutors, working with judicial and security services inside stadiums, will ensure swift handling of incidents while respecting due process,” Ouahbi said.
Massive tourist boost expected
Morocco expects the World Cup to bring 26 million visitors in 2030, a significant jump from 17.4 million in 2024. The country studies previous sporting events, including recent Olympic Games and past World Cups, to shape its legal strategy.
The three host nations will sign a judicial cooperation agreement to speed up potential extraditions or case transfers and provide mutual legal assistance.
Legal system overhaul
The minister spoke of how Morocco is working on reshaping its legal strategy, as it is currently revising its family and penal codes and working on the introduction of alternative penalties like electronic bracelets to reduce prison overcrowding. High rates of pre-trial detention contribute to the crowding problem.
The country also plans multilingual judicial counters to help foreign visitors and specialized training for judges in sports, tourism, and consumer disputes. Officials will expand the use of mediation and alternative dispute resolution to ease court workloads.
Alcohol policy under review
Morocco faces a delicate balance regarding alcohol consumption in fan zones. While alcohol remains available in the predominantly Muslim country, public drinking stays banned.
“Discussions are ongoing about possible regulatory frameworks to address practices common among international supporters, including alcohol consumption, strictly within designated zones and under clearly defined conditions,” Ouahbi explained.
The minister pointed out that Morocco has always balanced its cultural traditions with openness and “international expectations.”
Infrastructure push
Beyond legal preparations, Morocco has announced major infrastructure upgrades for the tournament. These include new stadiums, expanded rail and airport networks, increased hotel capacity, and urban renovations.
“The 2030 World Cup will not only be a sporting celebration but also a demonstration of Morocco’s political will to modernize its legal system and show that justice can serve both citizens and international partners,” Ouahbi said.
The tournament represents the North African country’s biggest opportunity to display its development on the world stage while managing the massive influx of international visitors.
