2030 World Cup: A Marshall Plan for bidding cities
Try the experience of a Spanish fan traveling from Malaga to Rabat via Tangiers by chartering trains, boats, high-speed trains, and other means of transport, to the competition stadiums. This is the exercise initiated recently by members of the Moroccan World Cup 2030 Committee, in charge of preparations for the competition in Morocco.
« Our infrastructure is top notch. Some of our stadiums are better than those in Europe… something to be proud of «, said Mouad Hajji, general coordinator of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). These words were spoken last Tuesday in Fez, during the presentation of the main points of FIFA’s specifications for the organization of the 2030 World Cup.
At this meeting, organized as part of a regional tour of the cities bidding to host the 2030 World Cup matches, FRMF officials focused on the conditions of the infrastructure, the organizational model, and the preparations required to host this major event. This is an event in which the Moroccan authorities are showing unrivalled interest, under the impetus of the King. Hence the strong mobilization of local and elected authorities, presidents of professional chambers, tourism operators, and security personnel.
On March 5, 2024, FRMF officials outlined three main areas of focus: sports infrastructure (pitches and training sites), transport and mobility, as well as accommodation and hotels. While for cities like Rabat and Tangiers, the view from the sky is «extraordinary» and the infrastructure on the ground is «top-notch», for Fez, there is still a long way to go. With the exception of the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site restored at a cost of billions of Dirhams on the initiative of His Majesty the King, a Marshall Plan is strongly recommended, to enable the city to shine in the same way as the other cities bidding for the World Cup.
This is the challenge facing decision-makers in Fez. The city has enormous potential, but it remains underdeveloped (potholed roads, poor urban transport, a lack of cleanliness, and other issues). In terms of infrastructure, Fez is connected to the highway, air, and rail networks…but not to the bullet train. In this respect, a link to the high-speed train is highly sought-after, as is the creation of new air services.
As far as sports infrastructure is concerned, the Fez stadium, currently being renovated at a cost of 300 million Dirhams (USD 30 million), is well located. The widening of roads, urban transport, and the embellishment of avenues (public lighting, cleanliness, signage, and other amenities) are all determining factors in the choice of cities to host the World Cup, which will be a development driver for Morocco.
Youness SAAD ALAMI
