FIFA inspection teams to visit Morocco’s 2030 World Cup stadiums in October

Wednesday 16 September 2026 - 18:45

By: Azzat Manal

FIFA inspection teams to visit Morocco’s 2030 World Cup stadiums in October

FIFA is preparing to send inspection teams to Morocco in the final week of October to assess stadiums proposed for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, according to Moroccan media reports. The visit will form part of the ongoing preparations for the tournament, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. FIFA officially confirmed the three countries as hosts in December 2024.

The inspection mission is expected to cover six Moroccan venues: the Adrar Stadium in Agadir, the Grand Stadium of Marrakech, Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, the Grand Stadium of Fez and the Hassan II Stadium project in Casablanca.

FIFA's assessment will focus on the progress of infrastructure and renovation work, as well as the ability of each venue to meet the technical and operational requirements associated with hosting World Cup matches. Stadium approval is ultimately subject to FIFA requirements, which cover areas including spectator facilities, safety, playing conditions and supporting infrastructure.

Particular attention is expected to be paid to the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, a major project that has become an important part of Morocco’s World Cup preparations. Moroccan football authorities have expressed ambitions for the venue to host major matches during the tournament, although the final allocation of matches and venues will depend on the tournament planning process and FIFA’s assessments.

The inspection teams are also expected to review renovation work at the stadiums in Agadir and Marrakech. Both venues have undergone development and upgrading projects intended to improve their infrastructure and bring them in line with the standards required for major international competitions.

Morocco has been undertaking a broad programme of sports infrastructure development in preparation for the 2030 tournament. The country is set to stage matches as part of a joint World Cup involving three countries across two continents, while Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will host three centenary celebration matches.

The 2030 edition will be particularly significant for Morocco, which is set to become the second African country to host a FIFA World Cup after South Africa staged the competition in 2010. The country’s successful bid followed an extensive FIFA evaluation process that examined infrastructure, services, commercial arrangements, sustainability, human rights and other hosting requirements.

The inspection process is therefore expected to provide FIFA with an updated picture of the readiness of the Moroccan venues several years before the tournament. Beyond the stadiums themselves, preparations for a World Cup require extensive coordination involving transport, accommodation, security, training facilities, hospitality and other services.

Following the Morocco visit, FIFA inspection teams are expected to continue their assessment in Spain and Portugal, the other two host countries. The three nations are jointly responsible for staging the 2030 tournament, which will feature 101 matches according to FIFA's current tournament framework.

The final selection and confirmation of venues will be an important milestone in the preparations for the tournament. Until FIFA completes its assessment and the relevant decisions are formally approved, the stadiums under consideration should be regarded as proposed venues rather than definitively confirmed match locations.

Morocco’s preparations are also taking place alongside wider cooperation with FIFA. In December 2024, FIFA signed an agreement with Moroccan authorities to establish its Africa office in Rabat, reinforcing the organisation’s presence in the country ahead of the 2030 World Cup.

The October inspection will consequently offer an important update on the progress of Morocco’s stadium programme and provide a closer look at how the country is advancing its infrastructure ahead of one of the largest sporting events on the international calendar.