World Cup
Marrakech Stadium to Close for Major Remodelling Ahead of 2030 World Cup
By Kunle Solaja.
The iconic Grand Stade de Marrakech, the venue where Nigeria’s Super Eagles famously defeated Algeria in January’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final, is set to close its doors for a full-scale remodelling as Morocco intensifies preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The stadium, inaugurated in 2011 at the northern entrance of Morocco’s “Red City,” will undergo a comprehensive transformation to meet FIFA’s technical requirements for the global showpiece, which Morocco will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal.
For Nigerian fans, the venue holds special significance after the Super Eagles’ memorable quarter-final triumph over Algeria on its turf earlier this year.
But with the AFCON activities concluded, the attention of the Moroccans has shifted fully to the World Cup project.
Managed by the state company SONARGES (La Société Nationale de Réalisation et de Gestion des Équipements Sportifs), the stadium has already completed the first phase of renovations to meet CAF standards. These upgrades included the installation of more comfortable seating, two modern Videomatrix scoreboards, eco-friendly lighting systems reducing energy consumption by 60 per cent and an advanced security camera systems
The second and more dramatic phase will now begin.
Last September, the SONARGES regional director in Marrakech, Karaoui Morad, told Sports Village Square that the remodelling will fundamentally alter the stadium’s structure and capacity.
Regional director of SONARGES, Karaoui Morad (Right), explains the technical aspects of the upgrade of Grand Stade de Marrakech.
Key changes will include lowering the pitch by 10 metres to expand seating capacity to 46,000, the complete removal of the athletics track, and conversion into a football-only venue. Also, there will be the installation of a full roof canopy and the reworking of existing stands to bring spectators closer to the pitch
The removal of the running track will be the most visible change, ending the stadium’s unique multi-sport configuration — a rare rectangular football arena combined with elliptical athletics tracks — and aligning it with FIFA’s preferred football-specific design standards.
The upgrade mirrors the extensive renovations recently carried out at the Grand Stade de Tanger and the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Both venues underwent capacity expansion, roofing installations, seating modernisation and hospitality enhancements to elevate them to World Cup-level specifications.
A Fortress Inspired by History
Designed by the Italian firm Gregotti Associati International, the Marrakech stadium has long been admired for its architectural fusion of tradition and modernity. Its earthy brown tones echo the centuries-old terracotta walls of Marrakech, while four illuminated towers evoke the look of an ancient citadel at night.
From a distance, the arena resembles a fortified palace — a deliberate homage to the city’s architectural heritage.
That aesthetic will be preserved even as the structural core is modernised.
During the renovation period, local club Kawkab Marrakech will host its home fixtures at El Harti Stadium until construction is completed and final approval granted.
Officials have not provided a precise reopening date but confirmed that the venue will remain closed until all works are concluded and certified.
Part of a National Overhaul
The Marrakech project forms part of a broader infrastructure drive as Morocco advances its 2030 hosting commitments. Across the country, stadiums are being upgraded or rebuilt to align with FIFA’s standards for capacity, safety, media facilities, hospitality areas and fan experience.
For Marrakech, the transformation marks the end of one chapter — from AFCON battles and the Super Eagles’ memorable victory — and the beginning of another, as the “Red City” prepares to welcome the world to football’s biggest stage in 2030.
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By Kunle Solaja.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has unveiled Google Gemini as the official Artificial Intelligence partner of Morocco’s national football team in a move aimed at boosting fan engagement and enhancing the digital presence of the Atlas Lions.
The partnership, announced ahead of a busy football calendar in May, June and July, will see the federation collaborate with Google Gemini to deploy advanced AI technologies in support of the Moroccan national team.
According to the federation, the strategic alliance is designed to strengthen communication channels with supporters, promote Moroccan football talent both locally and internationally, and showcase the country’s deep passion for the game to a global audience.
Powered by Google’s artificial intelligence technology, Google Gemini will work with the Moroccan federation on a range of digital and interactive initiatives tailored for football fans. The projects are expected to provide innovative experiences for supporters within Morocco and across the world, bringing fans closer to the Atlas Lions.
Among the features highlighted are the use of Gemini’s text-to-image technology, which allows fans to create personalised visuals in support of the national team, as well as the Lyria music-generation model that enables supporters to compose fan songs and recreate stadium atmospheres digitally.
The AI platform will also help fans better understand football by simplifying complex rules, analysing match performances and even predicting possible winners.
Speaking on the partnership, Najib Jarrar described the collaboration as an important step in connecting technology with sport.
“We are proud to support the Moroccan National Team, which honours Moroccan football with its global achievements during this important phase,” Jarrar said.
“Through Google Gemini, we seek to employ the power of AI to elevate the fan experience and celebrate the rich history of Moroccan football. This partnership is not just about technology; it also aims to strengthen the bonds between fans and the sport they love in deeper and more impactful ways.”
Morocco’s national team, popularly known as the Atlas Lions, gained global acclaim after becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
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Veteran Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has hinted that the upcoming FIFA World Cup could mark the final chapter of his illustrious international career after announcing that he has joined what he described as his “last training camp” with the national team.
The 40-year-old shot stopper is widely expected to be named in coach Javier Aguirre’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Mexico will co-host alongside the United States and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
In an emotional message posted on social media on Monday, Ochoa reflected on his long journey with the Mexican national team.
“Putting this shirt on again was never routine … it was a privilege,” he wrote. “Today begins my last training camp. But this time I see it differently. With a fuller heart, more scars, more memories, and the same excitement as the child who once dreamed of defending this badge.”
If selected, Ochoa will join an exclusive group of players to feature in six FIFA World Cups, alongside football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The experienced goalkeeper previously represented Mexico at the Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 World Cups.
Ochoa, who currently plays for AEL Limassol in Cyprus, also recently suggested that the tournament could signal the end of his professional career.
Speaking to Mexican broadcaster TUDN last month, he admitted that the World Cup “could be the end for me after the World Cup” as he prepares for what is expected to be his final season in football.
“I’ve experienced unforgettable nights, endless matches, anthems that still give me goosebumps, and moments that changed my life forever,” Ochoa added in his social media post.
“And still, every time Mexico calls, something inside me begins again.”
Widely regarded as one of Mexico’s greatest goalkeepers, Ochoa has earned more than 150 international caps and produced several memorable World Cup performances during his career.
Among his standout moments were a remarkable display against Brazil at the 2014 World Cup and his penalty save from Poland captain Robert Lewandowski during the Qatar 2022 tournament.
Mexico will continue their preparations for the World Cup with friendly matches against Ghana on May 22, Australia on May 30 and Serbia on June 4 before opening their Group A campaign against South Africa on June 11.
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Mexico’s education authorities agreed on Monday to keep the 2025-2026 school calendar unchanged, reversing a proposed early end to the academic year that had drawn criticism from parents and raised questions about disruptions linked to the World Cup.
Related Story: https://sportsvillagesquare.com/2026/05/09/mexico-president-wavers-on-plan-to-cut-school-year-by-40-days-for-the-world-cup/
The federal education ministry and state authorities unanimously agreed to preserve the existing 185-day school calendar, Education Minister Mario Delgado said, meaning the school year will still end on July 15 as originally scheduled.
Delgado said the agreement came in response to a call from President Claudia Sheinbaum, while also giving certainty to millions of Mexican families that organise their daily routines around the school calendar.
Authorities said states could still make local adjustments in extraordinary circumstances, including extreme heat or logistical challenges related to the World Cup.
Delgado had previously floated ending the school year on June 5 instead of July 15, citing high temperatures and the need to ease pressure in host cities during the tournament, which Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada.
-Reuters
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