Preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup are already generating significant economic momentum as Morocco, Spain and Portugal deepen strategic cooperation ahead of the historic tournament to be staged across two continents.

At the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, a flagship symbol of Morocco’s sporting and institutional development, public and private sector leaders from the three host nations gathered on Tuesday, February 10, 2025, for the Morocco–Spain–Portugal Business Forum dedicated to World Cup preparations.

The forum, co-organised by the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) and the Portuguese Business Confederation (CIP), brought together decision-makers and business executives in the presence of Spain’s Ambassador to Morocco, Enrique Ojeda Vila, and Portugal’s Chargé d’Affaires in Rabat, Nuno Gabriel Cabral.

The 2030 tournament, awarded jointly to Morocco, Spain and Portugal, will mark the centenary of the first FIFA World Cup held in 1930 and will be the first edition staged across Africa and Europe.

Speaking at the forum, Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, described the venue as reflective of Morocco’s long-term development vision.

“This complex reflects the enlightened vision of His Majesty the King for the development of sport and for designing and monitoring a development model for Moroccan youth, and indeed youth at the continental and global levels,” Lekjaa said, noting that the facility hosts a permanent FIFA office and serves as a global hub for football development.

He highlighted the scale of coordination required for a tournament that could see national teams playing across multiple cities in different countries within days.

Morocco–Spain–Portugal Business Forum in session at the iconic Mohammed VI Football Complex

“A national team may play its first match in Madrid, the second in Marrakech, and the third in Lisbon,” he said, stressing the need for seamless logistics, transport integration, security alignment and infrastructure harmonisation.

Lekjaa also pointed to Morocco’s successful staging of the recent Africa Cup of Nations as a major rehearsal for 2030, noting that Moroccan companies and professionals delivered the event entirely.

CGEM President Chakib Alj described the World Cup as a catalyst for structural transformation beyond football.

“This highly anticipated event brings together companies and decision-makers from our three countries around a clear and shared ambition: to invest together, innovate together and create value together,” Alj said.

He detailed major infrastructure projects underway in Morocco, including the doubling of capacity at six major airports, a nearly 30 per cent expansion of the highway network, and the extension of the high-speed rail line linking Kenitra to Marrakech. Strategic logistics hubs such as Nador West Med and the Atlantic Port are also part of the development blueprint.

According to Alj, Morocco’s hosting of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations generated direct economic returns estimated at over €2 billion against roughly €1 billion invested in sports infrastructure, creating more than 60,000 direct and indirect jobs and mobilising over 3,000 Moroccan companies.

Stakeholders at the forum agreed that the 2030 World Cup represents more than a sporting event. Instead, it is being positioned as a long-term platform for economic integration, regional value-chain strengthening and sustainable growth across North Africa and Southern Europe.

With coordination already intensifying between Rabat, Madrid and Lisbon, preparations for 2030 appear firmly anchored in a vision that seeks to deliver not only a successful tournament, but a durable economic and developmental legacy.

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A coalition of civil and human rights organisations on Friday issued a statewide travel alert for Florida ahead of this year’s World Cup soccer tournament.

They warned international visitors that stepped-up immigration enforcement could increase the risk of racial profiling, wrongful detention and deportation.

The groups said they were urging tourists and visiting fans to “exercise extreme caution,” carry identification at all times and register travel plans with their consulates before arriving.

They also advised travellers to reconsider visiting the state until what they described as a lack of accountability and transparency in enforcement practices is addressed.

“Florida is no longer a safe destination for international tourists,” Tessa Petit, Executive Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, said in a statement, alleging that visitors and residents could be detained without cause and targeted based on appearance, language or accent.

Florida tourism officials blasted the travel alert.

“These ‘advisories’ are ridiculous and, unfortunately, politically-motivated stunts that needlessly seek to harm our state and industry,” said Bryan Griffin, President and CEO of tourism group Visit Florida.

“Lawful visitors to our state have no reason to be concerned. Florida welcomes hundreds of thousands of travelers daily and is looking forward to being a hub for World Cup celebrations for residents and travelers alike,” he said.

“Visitors can expect an enjoyable, safe, and easy travel experience in Florida.”

The coalition pointed to reports by journalists and civil rights groups describing cases in which U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and tourists were detained after routine encounters with law enforcement, including traffic stops.

The organisations also cited accounts of people being held for extended periods with limited access to lawyers or consular assistance. Reuters could not independently verify the specific incidents described in the advisory.

Florida has expanded cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities to allow trained local officers to perform certain immigration-enforcement functions, the coalition said.

Civil liberties advocates have argued that such arrangements can lead to over-policing of immigrant communities, while supporters say the programs enhance public safety.

The travel alert comes as the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup from June 11 to July 19. The event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of international visitors across multiple host cities. Miami will host seven matches.

The U.S. is co-hosting the expanded 48-team global tournament with neighbours Canada and Mexico.

-Reuters

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By Kunle Solaja.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has firmly dismissed reports suggesting that Walid Regragui has stepped down as head coach of Morocco’s national team, the Atlas Lions.

In a brief statement issued, the federation described the claims as false, responding to widespread media speculation that Regragui had expressed a desire to resign due to exhaustion following the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.

 Some reports also linked the Moroccan coach to possible offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia.

Speculation about Regragui’s future was further fuelled by comments he made in earlier press conferences before the AFCON final match, in which he suggested he would consider stepping aside if he failed to win the AFCON with Morocco. He made similar remarks following Morocco’s early exit from the tournament in 2024.

However, the FRMF moved quickly at that time to reaffirm its confidence in the coach, insisting that he remained the right man to lead the Atlas Lions forward.

The federation also revealed that its president, Fouzi Lekjaa, has held several meetings to review Morocco’s AFCON 2024 participation.

According to the FRMF, Lekjaa acknowledged the shortcomings of the campaign but stressed the importance of maintaining stability and continuity within the national team setup.

He underlined the need to preserve the Atlas Lions’ “deserved status” to meet the expectations of Moroccan fans, with a clear focus on the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations, which Morocco is set to host.

With the federation’s latest statement, the FRMF has sought to put an end to speculation and reaffirm its backing of Regragui as Morocco looks ahead to its next competitive challenges.

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