Morocco: Casablanca to be heart of 2030 World Cup

Moroccan Minister of Economy and Finance, Fouzi Lekjaa, has described Casablanca as the “beating heart” of the 2030 World Cup. During a parliamentary finance committee meeting, Lekjaa addressed concerns regarding the distance between the city and the Grand Hassan II Stadium, which is located approximately 50 kilometers away.

The Minister noted that the distance, which takes an hour or less to travel, meets international standards, citing the New York and New Jersey model as a precedent. To ensure connectivity, the stadium will be linked to Casablanca via a new urban rapid rail system (RER) and a new airport project.

Regarding the stadium's long-term utility, projections suggest it will host at least 25 matches annually with crowds exceeding 100,000 spectators. These matches are expected to include national team games and fixtures for local clubs Raja and Wydad Casablanca in both national and continental competitions.

On the subject of construction costs, Lekjaa stated that work is being carried out in phases, with each phase having its own specific cost. A final total cost for the project will only be determined upon the stadium's final completion and delivery.