Sánchez Sees in Co-Hosting 2030 World Cup a Concrete Example of Excellent Morocco-Spain Ties

 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 Infrastructure, investment, and construction projects launched in the framework of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are part of a continuous strategy aimed at efficiently and sustainably preparing for the hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, stressed Fouzi Lekjaa, Minister Delegate for the Budget, on Friday in Rabat.

“The infrastructure, investments, and construction efforts tied to AFCON 2025 are part of a coherent and progressive approach to preparing for the 2030 World Cup, thereby ensuring a sustainable legacy and optimized development of Morocco’s sports, economic, and territorial spheres,” said Lekjaa during a ministerial conference themed “2030 World Cup: Financial, Institutional, and Strategic Challenges,” held at the National School of Administration (ENSA).

An investment of approximately 150 billion dirhams (MAD) is currently underway across the relevant sectors, including the construction of a potable water treatment plant with a capacity of 2 billion cubic meters, intended to meet both industrial and domestic needs, he revealed.

Lekjaa also noted that the financing of transport infrastructure is based on public-private partnerships, supported by annual state contributions of around 1.6 billion MAD until 2030, ensuring continuity and financial viability of the projects.

He emphasized that mobility remains a central challenge among host cities. “The development of the high-speed rail line (LGV) and the regional express network (RER) is already underway, particularly to connect Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and the southern provinces, thus enhancing Morocco’s territorial and economic integration,” the minister added.

Regarding the financial structure, he stressed that it was designed not to burden the State’s general budget. “An innovative financing and operation model, in partnership with the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG) and the National Company for the Construction and Management of Sports Facilities (SONARGES), allows for a 20-year amortization, ensuring investment viability,” he stated.

In addition, Lekjaa announced that work on the two stadiums set to host AFCON 2025 will be completed on schedule: by July 31 for the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, and by August 15 for the Grand Stadium of Tangier.

He underlined that this organizational effort is part of a broader vision encompassing other continental and international women’s competitions, contributing to the strengthening of Morocco’s organizational capacities and its long-term sporting and economic influence.

For her part, ENSA Director General Nada Biaz stated that the co-hosting of the 2030 World Cup is a showcase of Morocco’s boldness, reflecting the Kingdom’s capacity to unite, anticipate, shape the future, and coordinate with neighbors and partners such as Spain and Portugal.

Economically, this event represents a structural investment lever, generating growth, mobility, and regional attractiveness, while mobilizing all state actors around principles of coordination, efficiency, and transparency, she said, underlining the strategic dimension of this ambition, reflecting Morocco’s role as an influential and supportive actor engaged in constructive diplomacy and exemplary partnerships with brotherly and friendly nations.