Moroccans welcomed on Thursday the announcement that their country would co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, after years of failed attempts.
FIFA on Wednesday made a surprise announcement confirming Spain, Portugal and Morocco as hosts after another bid dropped out, but said the three opening matches would be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
After five failed attempts to become World Cup hosts, the announcement that Morocco will share the honours will lift spirits in the north African country, a month after a devastating earthquake that killed nearly 3,000 people.
Soccer is a big part of Moroccan life, with its biggest teams often winning African club tournaments and drawing packed crowds into stadiums. Morocco became the first Arabic-speaking country to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Honestly, this is a big honour, especially after the Atlas Lions made us proud at Qatar 2022,” said Akram Kastalani, a university student in Rabat.
The decision comes days after Morocco was also chosen to host the 2025 African Cup of Nations after several other bids dropped out.
Hosting the events may provide a boost to the Moroccan economy, under pressure due to a severe drought and high inflation.
“The country will prosper and more tourists and national teams from different countries will meet in Morocco... I am so happy Morocco is hosting this,” said Jilali Kharoti, 56, a car park attendant.
Morocco’s Royal Palace, the main seat of political power, said the decision came as “recognition of Morocco’s place ... in the realm of great nations” and said it was committed to working with Spain and Portugal to host the tournament.
Moroccan Football Federation chief Fouzi Lekjaa said in a sports radio interview on Thursday that Morocco would provide six stadiums in six different cities for the tournament.
Interestingly enough Morocco lost FIFA World Cup bids to be sole hosts in 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2026.
“It is an honour for us to host the World Cup in Africa again... it will help develop African football,” said Boris Yameogo, a student from Burkina Faso living in Rabat.
Morocco and its host-partner Spain have had a difficult political relationship over recent years, complicated by migration and the status of two Spanish enclaves in North Africa.
Ties improved last year after Madrid moved closer to Morocco’s policy on Western Sahara, a disputed territory that Rabat claims as its own but where the Algeria-backed Polisario Front is seeking independence.
Morocco and Spain divided over who should host 2030 World Cup finalA day after Morocco and Spain were nominated as joint hosts of the 2030 World Cup – along with Portugal – there were signs of friction, with both countries laying claim to being the venue for the final.
Spain’s Sports Minister Miquel Iceta on Thursday on Onda Cero radio said that although “you can’t count your chickens before they hatch”, he expected the final to be held in Spain. But Fouzi Lekjaa, head of Morocco’s football federation, said that the goal was for the final to be in Casablanca.
He hoped to see the country’s efforts “crowned – god willing – with celebrations in Casablanca stadium at a historic final,” he said on Radio Mars.
Argentina also weighed in, with government officials and the local football federation on Thursday saying the country would “go for more” games than the single opening match it has been allocated.
Disputes over migration and
territory for decadesRelations between Spain and Morocco have for decades been marked by disputes over migration and territory.
There have been regular diplomatic crises over Spain’s enclaves in Africa and the arrival of thousands of illegal migrants in Spain each year through Morocco.
Ties improved last year after Madrid moved closer to Morocco’s policy on Western Sahara, a disputed territory that Rabat claims as its own but where the Algeria-backed Polisario Front is seeking independence.
Lekjaa said Morocco, Spain and Portugal will meet on Oct. 18 in Rabat to discuss the scheduling of World Cup matches. Six cities in Morocco will be match venues.
Iceta said the three federations have been working together for some time and that there was an advanced agreement on how to allocate the matches.