Morocco set to become second African nation to host World Cup in 2030

Morocco is on the brink of making history by becoming the second African nation to ever host the FIFA World Cup in 2030.

The country has been named a co-host for the 2030 edition, alongside Spain and Portugal. This joint bid from the three countries was unanimously approved by FIFA’s Council during a meeting held on Wednesday.

While Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will serve as the main hosts for the tournament, the 100th anniversary of the World Cup will kick off with the opening three matches being played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. FIFA explained that this decision was made in order to honour the historical significance of the first-ever World Cup.

In a statement, FIFA said, “The FIFA Council unanimously agreed that the sole candidacy will be the combined bid of Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, which will host the event in 2030 and qualify automatically from the existing slot allocation subject to the completion of a successful bidding process conducted by FIFA and a decision by the FIFA Congress in 2024.” The statement further mentioned that a unique centenary celebration ceremony will be held in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, along with three World Cup matches that will take place in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.

For Morocco, this will be the first time it will host a World Cup. The country is proud to have the opportunity to showcase its culture, history, and passion for football on a global stage. With matches also being played in Spain and Portugal, the tournament will undoubtedly bring together diverse footballing cultures and create a unique and unforgettable experience for players and fans alike.

Morocco’s successful bid to co-host the World Cup reflects the country’s growing reputation in the sports world. Over the years, Morocco has hosted numerous international sporting events, demonstrating its ability to organise and manage large-scale tournaments. Moreover, the country’s strategic location between Europe and Africa provides easy accessibility for fans and teams from both continents.

Hosting the World Cup offers Morocco an incredible opportunity to boost its tourism industry, infrastructure development, and overall economic growth. The influx of visitors, as well as the international exposure garnered from the event, will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the country’s economy.

Furthermore, hosting the World Cup will inspire the younger generation in Morocco and Africa as a whole. It will showcase the potential and talent that exists within the continent and encourage more investment in football development.

In a statement from the Royal Office, His Majesty King Mohammed VI is pleased to announce to the Moroccan people that the FIFA Council has unanimously chosen the Morocco-Spain-Portugal bid as the sole candidate to host the 2030 football World Cup.

This decision is of great significance as it will make Morocco only the second African country to ever organise a World Cup, following in the footsteps of South Africa in 2010. It is a historic moment for African football and a testament to Morocco’s remarkable progress in the sport. Notably, Morocco achieved the distinction of being the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final in Qatar, after defeating Belgium, Spain, and Portugal on their journey to the final four.

This news comes at a time of immense excitement surrounding Moroccan football, as the country is preparing to host its second African Cup of Nations next year, having previously hosted it in 1988. Morocco is making significant investments to upgrade its stadium infrastructure in cities such as Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier, in order to be fully prepared for hosting major tournaments.

Together with Spain and Portugal’s world-class facilities, Morocco’s preparations demonstrate the joint bid’s readiness to deliver an exceptional 2030 World Cup. By awarding Morocco the hosting rights, FIFA has provided African football with an unprecedented platform, following the trailblazing tournament in South Africa in 2010.

Bringing the World Cup back to the continent will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of African football stars, following in the footsteps of Moroccan heroes Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou.