Giant stadium, high-speed rail, RER, airports: the 2030 World Cup is accelerating Morocco’s modernization. However, this transformation is concentrated in the major metropolitan areas, while three regions produce nearly 60% of national wealth and poverty remains primarily rural.
Madrid’s mayor now believes that Casablanca has a better chance than the Spanish capital of hosting the 2030 World Cup final. José Luis Martínez-Almeida accuses Pedro Sánchez’s government of not doing enough to support the Santiago Bernabéu’s bid.
A French MP has alerted the government to the persistent difficulties encountered in Morocco when trying to obtain a visa appointment. Despite several anti-fraud measures, appointment slots are reportedly still being seized and offered for payment by intermediaries.
WorldSettled in the Netherlands, Moroccans are watching the Ceuta crisis with a particular unease. Their families once left Morocco to build their future in Europe. Seeing young people today risk their lives to follow the same direction acts as a brutal mirror.
MoroccoTextile workers in Tangier are leaving factories to join teams paid by the piece, which are seen as freer and more profitable. The system is used by manufacturers to handle foreign orders, but ultimately worsens their labor shortage.
SpainEntering Ceuta is not enough to reach mainland Spain. Migrants who remained in the enclave after the mass arrivals in July are now paying smugglers up to 9000 euros to cross the Strait of Gibraltar clandestinely.
MoroccoSuffering from cancer and covered by health insurance, Brahim says he had to deal with several requests for advance payments at a private clinic in Marrakech. He was allegedly asked for up to 5000 dirhams before being hospitalized, leading to hours of discussions with his family.
MoroccoSeasonal rental prices are soaring in Agadir in the middle of August. Furnished apartments are reaching 1500 dirhams per day, while some villas now exceed 4000 dirhams. Consumer associations say they are receiving complaints from holidaymakers.
MoroccoAn American cyberdefense platform used by Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense is also operational in Morocco. Its manufacturer, Lyntris, confirms that its Garda Cyber suite is deployed with the Moroccan Armed Forces.
MoroccoAir Algérie is stepping up its offensive in sub-Saharan Africa. The Algerian airline is opening three new destinations in the autumn: Brazzaville, Conakry and Lagos, all markets where Royal Air Maroc has already established its network from Casablanca.
SpainApple Maps displays several territories administered by Spain and claimed by Morocco as being located in Morocco. This is a particularly sensitive depiction as sovereignty over Spain’s North African enclaves continues to divide Rabat and Madrid.
SpainThe political battle launched in Spain against Morocco’s place in the 2030 World Cup could end up costing Spanish companies dearly. Rabat has imposed no sanctions, but the possibility of reviewing future contracts is now being openly discussed.
WorldIn 2025, the European Union bought €25.5 billion worth of goods from Morocco and €26.5 billion from Algeria. With a difference of only one billion euros, the amounts are almost identical. But the composition of exports is radically different.