Morocco to co-host the 2030 FIFA Men’s World Cup

BREAKING NEWSOctober 5, 2023 at 11:23 AM UTC

The announcement that Morocco will share the hosting honors of the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal has brought a sense of excitement and optimism to the North African country. This news comes just a month after a devastating earthquake claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people in Morocco.

In a surprising move, FIFA announced the joint hosting of the 2030 tournament a year earlier than originally planned. While Morocco, Portugal, and Spain were the sole bid put forward, the decision to have Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay each host a match to commemorate the tournament's centenary adds an extra layer of significance.

Observers noted that the ease of travel between Morocco and the two Iberian countries played a crucial role in the success of the bid, emphasizing the practicality and convenience of the hosting arrangement.

Key Takeaways

Hosting the World Cup could potentially provide a significant economic boost to Morocco, which was already grappling with challenges such as a severe drought and high inflation rates. The country had previously made unsuccessful attempts to host the World Cup as the sole host nation in 1994, 1998, 2006, and 2010, when South Africa became the first African country to host the tournament. By teaming up with Spain and Portugal for the 2030 bid, along with the support of Saudi Arabia, Morocco significantly improved its chances of hosting the tournament. Additionally, Morocco's performance in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where the men's national team reached the semi-finals, marked a historic achievement for African soccer and likely boosted their credibility as a potential World Cup host.