June 23 – Morocco has awarded a $320 million construction contract to local firms TGCC and SGTM for the next phase of the Grand Stade Hassan II – a centrepiece venue for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and set to become the largest football stadium in the world.
The joint venture, which was the sole bidder, will oversee construction of the 115,000-capacity stadium in Benslimane, about 38km northeast of Casablanca. The build, spanning a 100-hectare site, is expected to take 30 months, with completion slated for 2028 – in time to claim the right to host the World Cup Final in 2030 ahead of Spain’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid or Barcelona’s Camp Nou.
The contract is part of a broader $500 million investment package led by Morocco’s state-backed fund Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG). The stadium will serve as the future home of Morocco’s national team and headline the country’s hosting role for both the 2030 World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) later this year – though it will be far from complete by the time of the tournament.
Global stadium design heavyweight Populous – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Yankee Stadium — is leading the architectural work, in partnership with French firm Oualalou+Choi.
The Grand Stade Hassan II forms the backbone of Morocco’s World Cup ambitions as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 edition alongside Spain and Portugal. To meet FIFA’s requirements, six other stadiums in Rabat, Marrakech, Fez, Tangier, Agadir, and Casablanca will undergo extensive renovations.
This latest contract represents a significant milestone in Morocco’s infrastructure rollout, cementing its role as the second African country after South Africa in 2010 to host football’s biggest tournament.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1750701345labto1750701345ofdlr1750701345owedi1750701345sni@g1750701345niwe.1750701345yrrah1750701345