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Doha – Morocco and Spain signed a joint declaration of intent Tuesday in Madrid outlining judicial cooperation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Justice Ministers Abdellatif Ouahbi and Félix Bolaños García signed the agreement during the Moroccan minister’s official visit.
The declaration focuses on judicial cooperation in fighting cross-border organized crime, primarily through information and experience exchange.
“The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to friendly relations and constructive cooperation between their countries, illustrated by the signing and implementation of several international judicial cooperation agreements,” noted the statement from the Moroccan Ministry of Justice.
It aims to optimize existing cooperation mechanisms by adapting them to World Cup requirements. This includes the sharing of best practices and the consolidation of joint commissions through the regular organization of committees, as provided for in civil and penal judicial assistance conventions. These efforts build upon discussions that began in Madrid in April 2024.
Upgrading the judicial system is another priority, which encompasses plans to accelerate digital transformation, improve justice access, promote alternative dispute resolution, and strengthen cross-border case management.
Both ministers stressed that this collaboration is vital for the tournament’s success, asserting the role of an efficient judicial system in ensuring legal security for international events.
They agreed to establish a mixed justice commission between Morocco, Spain, and Portugal to develop a special cooperation framework. This body will be in charge of supporting World Cup preparations with specific action plans for security and legal challenges associated with organizing a global spectacle of this magnitude.
Ouahbi’s visit to meet his Spanish counterpart is part of strengthening the historical bilateral cooperation between Morocco and Spain. He was accompanied by Morocco’s ambassador to Spain, Spain’s ambassador to Morocco, and senior officials from the Moroccan Ministry of Justice.
A combined preparation
This is not the first such agreement Morocco has signed in preparation for the tournament. In January, Morocco and Portugal signed a similar joint declaration of intent in Lisbon to strengthen judicial cooperation.
During that meeting, Moroccan Justice Minister Ouahbi met with his Portuguese counterpart Rita Alarcao Júdice to discuss means of enhancing international judicial cooperation in criminal and civil areas.
Beyond judicial cooperation, security collaboration has been a priority for the three host nations. In January, Abdellatif Hammouchi, head of Morocco’s National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST), met in Madrid with Spanish Police Director Francisco Pardo Piqueras and German Bundespolizei President Dieter Romann to discuss World Cup security.
Most recently, in February, Interior Ministers Abdelouafi Laftit and Fernando Grande-Marlaska met in Madrid to discuss various levels of mutual interest, including World Cup security.
Grande-Marlaska described Morocco-Spain cooperation “exemplary” in security matters, adding that “sports cooperation bolsters the already outstanding security collaboration between our countries.”
The FIFA Executive Committee unanimously selected Portugal, Spain, and Morocco’s joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
International organizations have expressed confidence in the tournament’s anticipated success. Interpol President Naser Al-Raisi recently stated that Morocco is going to organize an “exceptional World Cup 2030.”
