The 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico is only a few months in the past, but planning for the next major event is already in full swing: The 2030 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco. In addition, there will be three symbolic anniversary matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to mark the 100th anniversary of the Football World Cup. At the center of Morocco's preparations is a construction project that has attracted international attention: the Grand Stade Hassan II near Casablanca.
The stadium is being built in the municipality of El Mansouria in Benslimane Province, approximately 38 to 40 kilometers northeast of Casablanca. With a planned capacity of 115,000 spectators, it is intended to become the largest football stadium in the world upon completion. The international architecture firm Populous and the Moroccan firm Oualalou + Choi are responsible for the design. The architecture is inspired by traditional Moroccan Moussem tents: An expansive, curved roof structure is meant to make the stadium appear like an oversized festival tent. Completion is currently expected for early 2028 or during the course of 2028. This means