FIFA said Saturday it is keeping an eye on events in Iran after the United States launched a military strike on the nation.

The action comes just months before the start of World Cup play in June, with matches to be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran qualified for the tournament through its participation in the Asian Football Confederation.

Iran is scheduled to play Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in Group G. Two of the games are set for Los Angeles, one in Seattle.

FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said the organisation is monitoring what happens.

“I read the news (about Iran) this morning the same way you did,” Grafstrom said at the International Football Association Board’s annual general meeting in Cardiff, Wales, per ESPN.

“We had a meeting today, and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world.”

The World Cup draw took place in Washington, D.C., in December, with Iran represented.

“We will continue to communicate as we always do with three (host) governments, as we always do in any case. Everybody will be safe,” Grafstrom said.

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Hundreds of Mexican fans enjoyed a moment of calm on Saturday as they admired the FIFA World Cup trophy, a week after witnessing violent events in the country.

The capture and death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, the country’s most wanted drug lord, on Sunday led to violent incidents, including vehicle and business arson.

These incidents were most prevalent in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, where the Akron Stadium, one of the World Cup venues and where the trophy is on display, is located.

Amid patrols by the Mexican army, the National Guard, and the Jalisco state police, the trophy arrived at the Akron Stadium in the municipality of Zapopan, part of the Guadalajara metropolitan area.

“From this platform, we can affirm that Mexico is at peace, and there is tranquility to enjoy soccer,” Mexico’s Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez said during the presentation of the trophy, which was attended by former soccer players Hugo Sanchez and Roque Junior.

“We would like to thank FIFA, the organisers, and the government of Jalisco for their trust, coordination with the Mexican government, and the relationship we maintain to make this international event a glorious experience,” she added.

In addition to the trophy, the exhibition features several items from previous World Cups, such as balls and uniforms.

“I think the passion for soccer is greater than anything else, so welcome everyone. I believe that the necessary measures are being taken; they have been preparing for a long time, so I don’t see why it couldn’t be held here (the World Cup),” Beny Martinez, a fan who attended the trophy presentation, told Reuters.

The Akron Stadium will host one of the World Cup playoffs between New Caledonia, Jamaica, and the Republic of Congo from March 26 to 31.

It will also host four first-round World Cup matches.

“Today, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the people of Jalisco, who showed solidarity and extraordinary responsibility during the events we experienced,” Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus said.

“Today, Jalisco, I have no doubt, is establishing itself as the most Mexican World Cup venue,” he added.

The trophy will remain in Guadalajara until March 2, when it will travel to other Mexican cities, including another of the host cities, Monterrey, and then to the third host city, Mexico City, in June.

“I think that even though it will be in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Mexico is more outrageous, more joyful, and, without a doubt, a better host,” said Julian Lili, another fan who attended the exhibition.

-Reuters

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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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