Morocco: The 2030 World Cup is more than sports, it is a national project

For Moroccan fans, one thing is certain: The national team's 1-1 draw against Brazil in its opening 2026 World Cup match was just the beginning. They hope that their team will make history once again after its historic run to the semifinals at the 2022 World Cup. However, while attention is currently focused on this month's tournament, Morocco is already looking ahead to 2030. Along with Spain and Portugal, the kingdom will host the World Cup that year.

For Morocco, hosting the World Cup means more than just having a global sporting event in the country. The North African country had unsuccessfully put in five bids to host the tournament before FIFA finally awarded the contract in December 2024.

Observers say that the World Cup is regarded as one of King Mohammed VI's most important prestige projects and considered part of a comprehensive modernization strategy. At the heart of this strategy is the country's successful national soccer team.

"The World Cup serves as a catalyst for Morocco's economic development," Steven Hoefner, director of the German political Konrad Adenauer Foundation's office in Rabat, told DW. The country is undergoing profound structural change, he said. In the face of climate change and drought, agriculture is losing importance, while industry, services and tourism are expanding.

Isabelle Werenfels of the Berlin-based German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) also agrees that the significance of the World Cup extends far beyond sports. "The World Cup has multiple dimensions," she told DW. The government is using the tournament "to boost its modernization policy and legitimize major domestic investments."

Moroccan "soft power"

Morocco is currently investing billions in stadiums, airports, rail lines and roads. A study by the Spanish think tank Real Instituto Elcano described the 2030 World Cup as an instrument of Moroccan "soft power." The tournament is intended to improve the country's international image, attract new investment, and strengthen Morocco's position in Africa, the authors wrote, detailing that "the goal is to create an appealing image of an open, tolerant, and up-and-coming country capable of managing projects at the highest level."

Another goal is international visibility, which Hoefner described as "a central objective of the Moroccan leadership." As Morocco has neither large oil nor gas reserves, it is increasingly relying on its political and cultural influence. The World Cup is intended to present the kingdom as a modern economic and investment hub, said Hoefner, who recently authored a study on Moroccan soccer policy.

Protests by Gen Z

However, there is also controversy surrounding these investments. Thousands of members of the generation born around the turn of the millennium, known as Gen Z, protested against the World Cup plans last year. "These protests were directed specifically against large-scale infrastructure projects," Werenfels recalled. The critics argued that money spent on stadiums and prestige projects was being diverted from other areas such as education and healthcare, she added.

Hoefner views the protests by Gen Z as less directed against the World Cup itself than against the question of whether stadium projects should take priority over investments in education and healthcare. He predicts that long-term acceptance will depend on whether the population actually benefits from the investments.

This highlights the World Cup's connection to one of the country's central challenges: According to an analysis  by the American think tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Morocco has indeed made significant progress over the past 25 years. Life expectancy, income and educational attainment have risen; the country has invested heavily in infrastructure and is now Africa's largest automotive exporter. At the same time, however, the authors pointed to high youth unemployment, regional inequalities and shortcomings in the education system. "Morocco's successes to date are undeniable, but the road ahead will be fraught with obstacles," the study stated.

Sustainability concerns

These mixed feelings are also reflected in Moroccan society. "Many people complain about the rising cost of living, but are also proud of the visible changes in their cities," said Werenfels. New transportation links, sports facilities and public amenities are viewed positively. At the same time, resettlements and demolitions for new construction projects have also entailed social consequences.

The question of whether the World Cup will leave behind sustainable development or expensive prestige projects is therefore the subject of intense debate. "When it comes to infrastructure for sports alone, there are certainly questions about its long-term use," said Hoefner. The planned Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca, which, with about 115,000 seats, is set to become the world's largest soccer stadium, will have to prove it can sustain long-term use, he said.

Environmental concerns

There are also environmental concerns. "Morocco is facing significant water problems," noted Werenfels. This raises the question of how much tourism is sustainable in the long-term and whether certain developments might come at the expense of other economic sectors, particularly agriculture, she said.

Notwithstanding, many people hope that hosting the World Cup could trigger a development boom. The Real Instituto Elcano even drew a historical parallel: Just as the 1992 Olympic Games repositioned Spain on the international stage, the 2030 World Cup could be a similar turning point for Morocco.

Whether these expectations will be met, however, depends on more than just new stadiums and successful soccer matches. The real test will be whether Morocco can combine economic modernization, social development and prestigious national projects. The 2030 World Cup is thus not just a major sporting event. It is a test of the country's future development path, and of the royal family's political vision.

Sustainable biogas for rural Morocco

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This article was originally published in German.