2025 AFCON /2030 WC: Govt, CDG Fund Sign Partnership Agreement to Upgrade 6 Football Stadiums, Build New One

2023-10-20

Rabat – A partnership agreement was signed on Friday in Rabat between the government and the Deposit and Management Fund (CDG), to finance a program to upgrade six football stadiums, selected in accordance with the High Royal Directives in the cities of Tangier, Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir, Marrakech and Fez, as well as to build a new stadium in Benslimane, in preparation for the 2025 AFCON and the 2030 World Cup.

“In application of the High Royal Directives aimed at ensuring the full success of the Kingdom’s organization of the final phases of the 2025 African Cup of Nations and the 2030 Football World Cup, the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, presided over the signing ceremony of a partnership agreement between the government and the Deposit and Management Fund, for the financing of a program to upgrade 6 football stadiums, chosen in accordance with the High Royal Directives in the cities of Tangier, Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir, Marrakech and Fez, as well as for the construction of a new stadium in Benslimane,” says a press release by the Department of the Head of Government.

The agreement was signed by Chakib Benmoussa, Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, and Fouzi Lekjaa, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of the Budget, on the one hand, and by Khalid Safir, General Manager of the Deposit and Management Fund, on the other, the press release adds.

The project is part of HM King Mohammed VI’s far-sighted vision to further develop the Kingdom’s football infrastructure, and to bring the six stadiums involved in the upgrading and modernization project into line with the standards of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) by 2025, and those of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) by 2028. These are the Grand Stade de Tangier, the Mohammed V complex in Casablanca, the Prince Moulay Abdallah Sporting Complex in Rabat, the Grand Stadium of Agadir, the Grand Stadium of Marrakech and the Sporting Complex of Fez.

With this agreement, the government will have completed the establishment of sources of financing for the upgrading and construction of stadiums to host the final phases of the CAN 2025 and the World Cup 2030. Under the terms of the agreement, a budget of some 9.5 billion dirhams will be mobilized for the implementation of investment projects relating to the upgrading of these stadiums to CAF standards over the period 2023 – 2025. A second upgrade will be carried out at a later stage, in line with FIFA standards, for a budget of between 4.5 and 6 billion dirhams, over the period 2025 – 2028, says the same source.

The agreement signed between the government and CDG also covers the construction of a new stadium in Benslimane (Casablanca-Settat region), for an investment budget of around 5 billion dirhams, over the period 2025 – 2028.

The Head of Government took the opportunity to state that Morocco’s organization of the 2025 African Cup of Nations, as well as the 2030 World Cup in conjunction with Spain and Portugal, is a consecration of the development process led by His Majesty the King, may God assist him, over more than two decades, and a recognition of the Kingdom’s special place among the great nations, the press release continued. It added that the government remains mobilized for the realization of these investment projects and the establishment of all the conditions ensuring full success to the organization by our country of the CAN 2025 and the World Cup 2030.

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Morocco-France Task Force Convenes in Salé Ahead of 2030 World Cup

A meeting of the Task Force on cooperation between Morocco and France ahead of the 2030 World Cup was held on Thursday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé.

Chaired by the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and the Morocco 2030 Foundation, Fouzi Lekjaa, this meeting was marked by the presence of the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, Nicolas Forissier, the President of the Morocco Industry Group of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), Mohamed Bachiri, and the President of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo.

Speaking on this occasion, Lekjaa noted that the 2030 World Cup constitutes a major milestone in the development project launched in Morocco over the past two decades, adding that the Kingdom will host major sporting events prior to the 2030 World Cup.

He stressed that economic operators from both countries are already working together on several ongoing projects, expressing his wish to benefit from French expertise in organizing large-scale sporting events, namely the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Lekjaa highlighted that a new component of cooperation will be dedicated to youth through football, with the objective of promoting values such as tolerance, fair play, and inclusion.

For his part, Nicolas Forissier told the press that his visit to Morocco is part of a series of bilateral meetings aimed at strengthening the excellent relationship between Morocco and France. He praised the importance of reinforcing the friendship between the two countries across several fields, particularly in the economy, industry, and agriculture.

The French official commended Morocco’s expertise and organizational capacity, as demonstrated during the Africa Cup of Nations, adding that France wishes to contribute its know-how to build a solid partnership on the ground.

He stated that, “beyond the economic aspect, this cooperation aims to materialize the friendship between the two peoples and offer a sense of dreams to the younger generations of both countries through sports and cooperation.”

Mohamed Bachiri, for his part, affirmed that beyond the sporting aspect, the 2030 World Cup constitutes a structuring economic project capable of transforming the national economy. He noted that this global football event is likely to mobilize massive investments, accelerate the modernization of strategic sectors, and create numerous employment opportunities for businesses.

According to him, events on the scale of the World Cup have a lasting impact on a country’s attractiveness and trajectory, citing the example of France with the 1998 World Cup and the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“Co-organized with Spain and Portugal, this competition positions Morocco at the heart of the Euro-Mediterranean space and represents a strategic bridge between Europe and Africa, based on the logic of proximity and co-development,” he analyzed, specifying that this Task Force meeting is part of a renewal of the historic partnership between Morocco and France.

On the sidelines of this meeting, a panel discussion regarding cooperation projects ahead of the 2030 World Cup brought together Moroccan companies and their French counterparts.

World Cup 2030: FIFA President Praises Morocco’s Progress in Preparations

FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised on Thursday in New York the progress of the various projects and initiatives underway in Morocco as part of preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the Kingdom is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal.

“I would like to congratulate His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco, and the government for these achievements that are leading us toward a historic World Cup—the Centenary edition,” Infantino told the press following a meeting held upon his request to review preparations for the tournament. The meeting was attended by Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, and the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel.

The FIFA chief also recalled his recent visit to Morocco, where he toured the Grand Stadium of Tangier and the “magnificent” Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. He emphasized that work is progressing smoothly “not only on the stadiums, but also on infrastructure as a whole.”

“Everything is almost ready. We could practically host the World Cup today,” he said, commending the excellent cooperation between FIFA and Morocco.

Infantino further noted that the meeting, held at FIFA’s office in New York’s Trump Tower, provided an opportunity to discuss the next steps in the co-hosting process for the 2030 World Cup. Talks with the governments and football federations of the host countries are planned along with visits to the tournament’s host cities, he added.

Gov’t Chief Takes Part in FIFA Meeting on 2030 World Cup Preparations in New York

Morocco’s Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, took part, on Thursday in New York, in a meeting of the Fédération internationale de Football (FIFA) dedicated to the 2030 World Cup, co-organized by Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

Held at the request of FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, this meeting was attended by the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, and the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paulo Rangel.

Speaking to the press following this meeting, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Akhannouch said that this meeting provided an opportunity for the three host countries to take stock of the progress of preparations for this large-scale football event.

In this respect, the Head of Government stressed that this meeting, held in the FIFA office in the Trump Tower in New York, also provided an opportunity to highlight the state-of-the-art infrastructure, large-scale projects and the all-round reform momentum launched in key sectors, under His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s leadership.

The meeting also discussed the creation of the “Morocco 2030 Foundation” which will serve as an intermediary with the government in order to follow the execution of World Cup related programs.

Akhannouch concluded that the impact of these structuring projects, which should benefit the peoples, is called upon to extend beyond the 2030 World Cup.

2030 World Cup Reflects Morocco’s Capacity to Undertake Flagship Events – Govt. Head

Morocco’s Head of Government Aziz Akhanouch stressed on Tuesday in New York that co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal reflects the Kingdom’s capacity to undertake flagship projects of global stage.

Under the perceptive leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom once again affirms its ability to mobilize its infrastructure and expertise, while showcasing the vibrant image of Africa on the world stage, Akhannouch stated in Morocco’s address during the General Debate of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

He further noted that this sporting event serves as a tool of cultural diplomacy and international outreach, with lasting impact on socio-economic and human development.

The Head of Government also underlined that Morocco views sport as a catalyst for empowerment and social integration, as well as a symbol of international cooperation and intercultural dialogue.

FRMF President, Portuguese Peer Discuss 2030 Football World Cup Preparations

Preparations for hosting the 2030 World Cup were the focus of a meeting Thursday between President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) Fouzi Lekjaa and President of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) Pedro Proença.

During this meeting between the two co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup (alongside Spain), both parties exchanged views on several issues related to the preparatory work for this major world football event, according to the FRMF website.

In addition, the same source notes that a delegation from the FPF paid a visit to the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, as well as the Mohammed VI Football Complex.

Outstanding Infrastructure Developed by Morocco Propel it Among ‘World Football Elite’

The outstanding infrastructure developed by Morocco has propelled the Kingdom among “the world football elite,” President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Gianni Infantino, said on Wednesday.

The outstanding infrastructure developed by Morocco has propelled the Kingdom into the “world elite of football,” said Gianni Infantino, president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), on Wednesday.

“Morocco’s vision, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, to promote excellence in football at the global level is extraordinary,” Infantino told the press on the sidelines of the reception hosted by HM King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the glorious Throne Day.

After recalling his recent visit to the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, the FIFA president praised the “magnificent” organization of the Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), held from July 5 to 26 in the Kingdom.

“I would like to congratulate Morocco on its brilliant results in this continental competition,” he said.

The FIFA President noted that Morocco will also host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for men, the next five editions of the U17 Women’s World Cup, and the 2030 World Cup, jointly with Spain and Portugal, highlighting the “outstanding” quality of the Kingdom’s existing infrastructure.

He also expressed his pride in the opening of FIFA’s Africa office in Morocco, a structure that will play a “key role” in serving African and global football.

Thursday 28 May 2026