World Cup Fever Ignites: Morocco’s Ticket Black Market Soars as Qualification Hangs in Balance

On social networks in particular, resellers are offering tickets at prices well above their face value. Announcements show tickets from the 100 dirhams category being resold for up to 500 dirhams, five times their original price, riding on the desire of supporters to attend the match.

This enthusiasm can be explained by several factors. On the one hand, the sporting stakes are high, as Morocco can officially validate its qualification for the 2026 World Cup with just one point. On the other hand, this is the first event organized at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Complex since its complete renovation in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup. Despite a capacity increased to nearly 68,000 spectators, the supply could not meet the demand.

Alongside this parallel market, some supporters who had legally purchased their tickets have seen their orders cancelled, although they have been refunded. These cancellations would be due to a rule of the sales platform limiting the use of the same bank card to a single user account.

The match will therefore be played behind closed doors this Friday at 8pm (GMT+1). The Atlas Lions will only need a draw to secure their participation in the next World Cup.