Morocco will be the second African country to host a FIFA World Cup, following South Africa in 2010.
On Wednesday, October 4, FIFA announced that Morocco, along with Portugal and Spain, will host the 2030 World Cup together.
This exciting news comes just a week after Morocco was chosen to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
People in Rabat celebrated the announcement with joy.
“As a Moroccan, I’m very happy and proud that we will host the 2030 World Cup with the help of Portugal and Spain,” said a football fan named Janate. “It will be a huge event, and I hope we feel the same happiness we did during the 2022 World Cup.”
Another fan, Khaoula, shared similar feelings: “I’m very happy that Morocco will be part of such a big event like the World Cup, working with big countries like Portugal and Spain. We’re very excited and hope everything goes well, with God’s grace. May Morocco win!”
Although most of the games will take place in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, some matches will also be played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to celebrate 100 years of the World Cup.
Starting from the 2026 World Cup in North America, 48 teams will participate in the tournament.
FIFA’s decision to choose Spain, Portugal, and Morocco for the 2030 World Cup still needs formal approval next year, but this is expected to be just a formality.
The 2030 World Cup will begin with “Centenary Celebration Matches” in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, and then the main tournament will continue in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
This is a big win for Morocco, which has spent a lot of money improving its cities’ infrastructure. Last week, Morocco was also selected to host the 2025 African Cup of Nations. Morocco’s national football team strengthened its case by reaching the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup, knocking out both Spain and Portugal.
In a statement on Wednesday, King Mohammed VI’s Royal Cabinet said this decision showed “Morocco’s important position among the world’s great nations.”
The excitement in Morocco continues to grow as the country prepares for both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup. These two major events will not only put Morocco in the global spotlight but also boost tourism and the economy.
Many Moroccans see this as a chance to showcase their country’s beauty, culture, and hospitality to the world. Cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, and Rabat are expected to see upgrades in their infrastructure, including stadiums, hotels, and transportation systems to handle the influx of visitors.
Local businesses are hopeful that the upcoming tournaments will bring more opportunities, especially in tourism, as football fans from around the globe will flock to Morocco. Hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related industries are gearing up for what could be a very busy few years.
Moroccan football fans are also excited about the chance to see some of the world’s best teams play on their home soil. Many hope that Morocco’s national team, which impressed everyone by reaching the semifinals in the 2022 World Cup, will go even further in the 2030 tournament.
The joint hosting with Spain and Portugal is also seen as a positive step for strengthening relations between the three countries. Working together to host such a large event is expected to build stronger partnerships and foster a sense of unity.
As Morocco looks ahead, the country is preparing to take on the challenges of organizing not just one, but two major football events. With high hopes and national pride, Moroccans are ready to welcome the world in 2025 and again in 2030.