Morocco unveils ambitious infrastructure plans for World Cup

Airports in Casablanca, Marrakech, and Agadir are set to be expanded before the football showpiece, which the country will co-host

Morocco aims to increase its total airport capacity to 80 million passengers by 2030, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch announced on Monday. The initiative is part of broader preparations for co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, as well as boosting tourism. 

According to the prime minister, Casablanca’s airport capacity will rise to 23.3 million passengers, while Marrakech and Agadir – two key tourism centers – are slated to reach capacities of 14 million and 6.3 million passengers respectively by 2030.  

The country’s network of airports has grown from 15 to 25, including 19 international airports, since 1999. 

Akhannouch’s statement also highlighted planned upgrades to sports infrastructure, including renovating 45 training venues in the six cities set to host World Cup matches. A new 115,000-capacity stadium will be constructed near Casablanca. The government estimates that investing in stadium construction and improvements may cost up to 5 billion dirhams (roughly $500 million). 

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Moroccan Minister of Tourism Fatim-Zahra Ammor recently reported a 20% year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals through the end of November. Data from the Ministry of Tourism shows that Morocco welcomed 15.9 million tourists in the first 11 months of the year. 

In addition to expanding airport capacity, Morocco intends to extend its high-speed rail line to Marrakech before the World Cup and then further south toward Agadir at a later stage. The National Railway Office’s long-term objective is to reach 43 cities and serve 87% of the country’s population by 2040.  

In addition to the 2030 World Cup, Morocco is set to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

At the 28th session of the General Assembly of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization in Rabat, Transport and Logistics Minister Mohamed Abdeljalil noted that Royal Air Maroc (RAM) intends to quadruple its aircraft fleet by 2037.  

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On Saturday, local news agency reported that RAM has been named ‘Best Airline in Africa’ for the second consecutive year at the 21st GT Tested Reader Survey Awards, organized by Global Traveler magazine.