On Wednesday, December 4, King Mohammed VI chaired a Council of Ministers meeting at the Royal Palace in Rabat to discuss the planning for the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. This event marks the centenary of the global football tournament.
Fouzi Lekjaa, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of the Budget and Chairman of the 2030 World Cup Committee, played a significant role in the meeting. As a prominent figure in CAF and the president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, as well as a member of the FIFA Council, Lekjaa presented an update on Morocco’s preparations.
He outlined the progress made since King Mohammed VI announced the joint bid with Spain and Portugal on March 14, 2023, in Kigali. Lekjaa also highlighted the announcement made on October 4, 2023, regarding FIFA’s Council’s unanimous decision to select the Morocco-Spain-Portugal bid as the sole candidacy. This decision sparked a remarkable mobilization to prepare a bid dossier that fully aligns with FIFA’s specifications.
The tripartite bid, submitted to FIFA on July 29, 2024, is the result of unprecedented efforts by various working groups, including ministerial departments, public institutions, companies, and local authorities. FIFA’s evaluation report, published on November 29, 2024, awarded the bid an outstanding score, far exceeding the requirements.
This achievement sets the stage for the Morocco-Spain-Portugal bid to be officially awarded the hosting rights for the 2030 World Cup during the upcoming extraordinary FIFA Council Congress. To meet the challenge of organizing an event that meets the aspirations of His Majesty the King, an expanded committee will be established, including representatives from civil society, Moroccan expatriates, and African talents.
The mobilization will be further reinforced through coordinated efforts with all stakeholders to expedite the execution of strategic projects related to hosting the event, including:
- Upgrading stadiums
- Expanding and renovating airports in the six host cities
- Enhancing road infrastructure and intra-urban networks
- Launching an integrated territorial upgrading program
- Developing hotel and commercial infrastructure
- Strengthening and modernizing medical services
- Developing and modernizing telecommunications networks
- Launching a comprehensive training program for young people
The Minister emphasized that the 2030 World Cup will not only be a sporting event but also an opportunity to accelerate national economic growth, create jobs, boost tourism, and promote universal values of peace, unity, and sustainable development.
The Council of Ministers also approved six international conventions aimed at strengthening Morocco’s cooperation and partnerships with several countries. These include bilateral agreements on driving license recognition, criminal justice cooperation, combating cross-border crime, and military and technical cooperation, as well as multilateral conventions on aircraft offences and the Digital Cooperation Organization.
Additionally, King Mohammed VI appointed Zouhair Chorfi as Chairman of the National Electricity Regulatory Authority, with plans to transform it into a regulatory authority for the entire energy sector, including natural gas and new energies like hydrogen.