Morocco will need to spend up to $25bn on infrastructure to host the 2030 World Cup, according to a report by the country's planning authority.
Infrastructure investment
The Haut-Commissariat au Plan estimated that the cost of building or renovating stadiums, expanding airports, and improving roads and railways could reach $25bn. The figure is based on a feasibility study of the requirements for the tournament, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
The report said the investment would create thousands of jobs and boost economic growth, but also warned of the risk of cost overruns and the need to ensure the infrastructure is used after the tournament.
Legacy concerns
Morocco plans to build or upgrade 20 stadiums for the World Cup, including a new 93,000-seat venue near Casablanca. The Haut-Commissariat au Plan stressed the importance of a legacy plan to avoid white elephants, suggesting that some stadiums could be downsized after the event.
The report also highlighted the need to develop public transport and high-speed rail links between host cities. Morocco has already invested heavily in infrastructure, including a high-speed train line from Tangier to Casablanca, which opened in 2018.
