Morocco’s Economy Set to Soar with 2030 World Cup, Experts Predict 3-5% GDP Boost

In an interview with the newspaper Le Matin, Lahbabi acknowledged that the 2030 World Cup will necessarily have economic repercussions for Morocco, specifying that the tourism, construction, new technologies and domestic consumption sectors will be the most impacted. "Economic growth is based on confidence, and the organization of the 2030 World Cup in Morocco and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, that gives confidence to Moroccans... The more people are confident, the more they are in a positive dynamic and the more they consume. Domestic consumption will drive growth upwards," he explained.

For the CEO of Transatlas Sport Management, the hotel and catering sectors will contribute strongly to this economic growth. "After Covid, Morocco has done a phenomenal job through the ONMT. Despite the earthquake, tourists are coming back. Inevitably, the World Cup will boost this sector even more. The Moroccan tourism market will be able to open up to new targets. Tourists who would never have thought of coming to Morocco could come, either during the 2025 CAN or during the World Cup. Football is an excellent communication vector and an economic driver for a country," he added.

The construction sector will be the big beneficiary of the organization of this World Cup in Morocco, estimates Lahbabi. "Morocco will have to build new infrastructure, whether it’s stadiums, roads, medical facilities or hotels. So it’s good news for the construction sector, but also for the new technologies sector," he comments, stressing that the organization of such a global event will further enhance the image of the kingdom and attract investors, which he believes should lead to GDP growth between 3 and 5%.

"It’s almost a nice story that’s happening to us. There’s the national team and Walid Regragui who had a full house at the World Cup and who have united the Moroccans. In continuity, we will host the CAN and then the World Cup. We must salute the work of the Federation under the impetus of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This international promotion is priceless. We won’t be able to quantify it," continues Lahbabi, inviting Moroccan companies to "associate their name with that of the national team. Its image is very good and the economic context is favorable. I almost want to say that it’s now or never".