July 16 – The first images of Morocco’s plans to build the world’s biggest football stadium, the Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca, have been shared ahead of the confirmation expected by FIFA for the country’s joint hosting of the 2030 World Cup.
The images were released during a meeting held in Casablanca by the 2030 World Cup organising committee, which was chaired by Morocco’s Minister of Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit. Attendees included Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), and Mohamed M’hidia, Wali (Governor) of the Casablanca-Settat region.
Described as an ‘architectural jewel’ the stadium will be named the Grand Stade Hassan II and will be a focal point of Morocco’s 2030 hosting, vieing with Spain’s Bernabeu in Madrid and Camp Nou in Barcelona to host the final.
Designed by stadium architects Populous, the 115,000-capacity stadium is planned to be built in Benslimane, just East of Casablanca, with its design be inspired by Moroccan ‘Moussem’ tents and will be a stunning example of the ‘Moroccan hospitality’.
It will be almost double the size of Morocco’s current biggest venue – the Ibn Batouta Stadium – which has a capacity of about 65,000.
The Casablanca-Settat Region plans to invest 5.1 billion dirhams ($520 million) in the stadium and surrounding infrastructure, with a particular focus on removing all communication bottlenecks.
Scheduled to be completed in 2028, it will be used mostly for football matches and will serve as the home of the Morocco national football team.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1731626729labto1731626729ofdlr1731626729owedi1731626729sni@g1731626729niwe.1731626729yrrah1731626729