9 stadiums confirmed in morocco’s 2026 world cup candidacy amid doubts of infrastructure capabilities
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

9 Stadiums Confirmed in Morocco’s 2026 World Cup Candidacy, Amid Doubts of Infrastructure Capabilities

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today 9 Stadiums Confirmed in Morocco’s 2026 World Cup Candidacy, Amid Doubts of Infrastructure Capabilities

Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Al Hoceima
Rabat - Arab Today

Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Al Hoceima, and Oujda are among the cities announced as potential hosts of the 2026 World Cup, if Morocco’s candidacy for the international football competition is approved.

Seeking to become a destination for important football events, Morocco has included a number of stadiums in its candidacy submitted to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), nine of which have been confirmed by Moroccan media outlet Telquel.

To earn the privilege of hosting the games of the World Cup, a long list of requirements established by FIFA must be met.

From the capacity of the stadiums to their location, through the security requirements, the playing area and press cabins, Morocco must carry out stringent checks on the suitability and readiness of the stadiums’ infrastructure in order to host the competition.

What are the Moroccan stadiums that are going to be built or refurbished for the 2026 World Cup? Here is a look on some of stadiums listed in Morocco’s candidacy:

Available stadiums in Morocco

Mohammed V, Casablanca

The Mohammed V stadium is Morocco’s biggest complex, with a capacity of 67,000 seats. It was named as a host for Morocco’s candidacy to organize the 2010 World Cup, but did not appear in Morocco’s bid to host the 2015 African Cup of Nations.

The stadium, inaugurated in 1955, is known for being home of Wydad and Raja local football teams.

After violent clashes erupted in March 2016 between the supporters of the two local teams, Raja and Chabab Rif Al-Hoceima, the stadium was renovated to enhance security.

Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat

Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat

With a capacity of 52,000 seats, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium meets FIFA’s requirements. The stadium was a confirmed venue and hosted three football games during the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup, until its reputation was affected by extreme damage to the playing field from heavy rains.

Renovations on the stadium were carried out in March 2016.

The stadium previously appeared in Morocco’s bid to host the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

Stade of Marrakech

Since its opening, Marrakech’s stadium has been used mostly for national football games. It has a capacity of 45,240 seats and corresponds to FIFA’s criteria.

It hosted the 2014 IAAF Continental Cup (Athletics World Cup), four games including the final of the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup, and the 2014 African Championships in Athletics.

The stadium is home to Marrakesh’s Kawkab football team.

Ibn Battouta stadium, Tangier

Tangier’s stadium was inaugurated on 2011 and has a capacity of 45,000 people, serving as the home of Tangier’s football team (IRT).

The stadium hosted the 2011 and 2017 editions of Champions Trophy and was one of the confirmed host stadiums for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Stade of Adrar, Agadir

Agadir’s stadium was inaugurated in 2013 to hold 2010 FIFA World Cup games.

The stadium, with a capacity of 45,480 seats, is home to football club Hassania Agadir. It hosted four matches of the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup in December 2013 and was also one of the stadiums to be used for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Fez’s stadium

The Fez Sports complex

Fez’s stadium, holding 45,000 seats, was inaugurated during Moroccan Throne Cup of 2006-2007. It is currently used mostly for football matches and it has also athletics facilities.

The stadium appeared in Morocco’s bid to host the editions of 2006 and 2010 World Cup.

Stadiums under construction

The future Al Hoceima’s stadium

Al Hoceima

The future Al Hoceima’s stadium is expected to be realized under the “Al Hoceima Mediterranean Lighthouse” development project and is expected to reach a capacity of 40,000 individuals.

Since Al Hoceima is often affected by earthquakes, studies related to seismology will be conducted before beginning construction. The project is hoped to be operational by 2019-2020.

Oujda’s new stadium

Oujda’s new stadium will also be included in Morocco’ candidacy to host the 2026 World Cup.  The space, which holds a capacity of 45,000 seats, is supposed to cost around MAD 500 million. The construction work will be conducted by a local architecture firm, in spite of the controversy caused by this designation.

Tetouan’s stadium

Tetouan’s stadium, marked by the innovative design of the architect Nawfal Bakhat, is supposed to reach a capacity of 40,000 places. The stadium will cost MAD 700 million, according to the daily newspaper L’Économiste. The project will span 36 hectares and will be equipped with technologies respecting the FIFA requirements.

Doubt about Morocco’s stadiums

While nine Moroccan stadiums have been confirmed, the 2026 Cup will be the first with an expanded 48-team tournament, up from the current 32 teams, which will require the host countries to stretch their infrastructure to the maximum.

“The number of stadiums mentioned above remains insufficient for Morocco in its race to win the right to host the 2026 World Cup, compared with other countries,” Ayoub Rafik, a journalist specializing in sports, told Morocco World News.

Rafik pointed out that the powerful joint candidacy of United States, Canada and Mexico has listed a total of 49 stadiums which are currently ready and respect the FIFA’s criteria for hosting games at the 2026 World Cup.

He added that “Morocco, however, still has chance to win the race if the country elaborates and works on its image through marketing, as it enjoys a geo-strategic position as a gateway to Europe, besides other factors such as its time zone.”

“Morocco should convince the voters through marketing strategies,” stressed Rafik.

However, he speculated that, in case Morocco’s request to host the Cup is rejected, the authorities will likely neglect the construction of the previous stadiums’ projects, giving the example of stadiums planned for Morocco’s previous candidacies in 2006 and 2010, which were not executed

source:MoroccoWorldNews

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

9 stadiums confirmed in morocco’s 2026 world cup candidacy amid doubts of infrastructure capabilities 9 stadiums confirmed in morocco’s 2026 world cup candidacy amid doubts of infrastructure capabilities

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

9 stadiums confirmed in morocco’s 2026 world cup candidacy amid doubts of infrastructure capabilities 9 stadiums confirmed in morocco’s 2026 world cup candidacy amid doubts of infrastructure capabilities

 



GMT 06:49 2012 Saturday ,01 September

Lamitta Frangieh on her \'Facebook Romance\'

GMT 08:26 2017 Wednesday ,08 February

Qatar spending $500m a week on World Cup projects

GMT 17:00 2017 Tuesday ,27 June

Saudi Arabia rebuts fake news on Turkey, Israel

GMT 10:31 2016 Monday ,12 December

Second Sydney airport cleared for take off

GMT 05:27 2017 Sunday ,16 April

GIB Capital wins 4 EMEA Finance Awards

GMT 13:58 2016 Friday ,30 December

Australia beat Pakistan to win Test series

GMT 10:07 2017 Monday ,17 April

Mark Hamill would like to play George Lucas

GMT 12:10 2016 Tuesday ,13 December

Over 30 dead as Kenya tanker crashes, explodes

GMT 02:13 2017 Monday ,25 September

December22nd-January20th

GMT 15:39 2017 Tuesday ,03 October

Bangladesh rescues 20 Rohingya held by racket gang

GMT 02:51 2017 Friday ,10 November

Under siege, Syria doctors forced to improvise care

GMT 12:18 2015 Tuesday ,14 July

Russia sack Capello as national team coach

GMT 16:07 2017 Saturday ,26 August

ISIS Claims Attack on Shiite Mosque in Afghanistan

GMT 13:47 2017 Monday ,27 February

China blue chips post worst day in 2 months

GMT 02:56 2017 Tuesday ,25 July

President Jokowi performs Eid Prayers in Padang

GMT 16:21 2017 Tuesday ,03 October

Sisi greets Guinea on independence anniversary

GMT 04:18 2017 Saturday ,16 September

Kim and Kanye expecting third baby via surrogate
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday