With over 1,400 days to go until the 2030 World Cup kicks off, Morocco, along with Spain and Portugal, is facing a multitude of challenges in its preparations for the tournament. The co-hosts are familiar with the difficulties that South Africa, the 2010 World Cup host, experienced during its preparations.

Source: i.guim.co.uk

Morocco’s World Cup adventure came to an end with their quarter-final defeat by France, but the country’s football federation, the FRMF, is already looking ahead to the next major tournament. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), in its expanded 16-team format, is set to begin in Rabat on Sunday, just a week after the World Cup final in New Jersey. Morocco will also host the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in the autumn, further solidifying its commitment to women’s football.

Source: i.guim.co.uk

Preparations for the 2030 World Cup

The main focus, however, is on ensuring that preparations for the 2030 World Cup are professionally managed. Morocco will co-host the tournament with Spain and Portugal, and the country is investing heavily in infrastructure upgrades. A budget of 50-60 billion Moroccan dirhams (£4bn-£4.8bn) has been allocated for direct football investments, while an additional £17bn will be spent on upgrading infrastructure.

An International Monetary Fund assessment found that the accelerated expenditure between 2024 and 2030 would amount to the equivalent of 11.9% of the country’s 2024 GDP. The Morocco 2030 Foundation, the country’s tournament preparation organisation, has been working tirelessly to ensure that the necessary preparations are in place. The foundation has spent considerable time in the United States, learning from the organisation of the World Cup.