Morocco Outlines Stadium Criteria for 2025 CAN and 2030 World Cup Bids

Speaking at an information day on "the provisional programs of construction and public works markets for the year 2024", the minister hinted that the 6 stadiums to host these competitions will be selected according to the qualification criteria of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF). The Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat and the Grand Stade de Tanger will be qualified according to FIFA criteria, while the Grand Stade de Marrakech, the Grand Stade d’Agadir, and the Complexe Sportif de Fès will be qualified initially according to CAF criteria, and then in a second step according to FIFA criteria, after the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca, on the other hand, will be qualified according to CAF criteria, since it will host the final of the 2025 CAN organized by Morocco, while the Grand Stade de Casablanca, under construction in Benslimane, should host the final of the 2030 World Cup that the kingdom is organizing jointly with Spain and Portugal. According to FIFA criteria, the stadiums to host World Cup matches must have a seating capacity of 40,000 for group stage matches and round of 16 and quarter-final matches, and a capacity of 60,000 for semi-final matches. The stadiums to host the opening match and the final must have a capacity of 80,000.

For the CAN, CAF requires 6 stadiums, including two with a capacity of at least 40,000, two with a capacity of at least 15,000, and two with a capacity of at least 20,000. All stadiums must have a natural grass pitch, as well as basic equipment such as a medical center, a VAR room, special areas for referee training, a high-performance lighting system and generators in case of