Morocco Positions Casablanca as the Preferred Venue for the 2030 World Cup Final
Morocco is increasingly confident that it will secure the majority support from FIFA for hosting the final of the 2030 World Cup in Casablanca, rather than in Madrid or Barcelona. This optimism is significantly attributed to a robust lobbying campaign initiated by Rabat aimed at influencing FIFA President Gianni Infantino, along with the Trump administration and the Gulf monarchies. Within Spanish diplomatic circles and among officials at the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the sentiment is one of resignation, with many considering the bid to be virtually lost. A less publicized but crucial aspect of Morocco's strategy is its emphasis on the development of a stable potable water supply for Casablanca through the construction of Africa's largest desalination plant, a project backed by €340 million in public loans from the government of Pedro Sánchez.
According to sources consulted by theobjective.com, Morocco has explicitly insisted on including references to new infrastructure in its proposal document "Yalla Vamos 2030"—a technical guide aimed at promoting its bid to FIFA. Among the highlighted projects is the contentious desalination plant in Casablanca, which is expected to be fully operational by 2030, the year of the World Cup. This detail is of paramount importance, as FIFA's technical teams scrutinize every aspect of the proposed venues, particularly those slated to host the tournament's definitive phases, such as the final match. From accommodations—where thousands of luxury hotel rooms are being constructed—to transportation, including high-speed rail lines and a newly designed terminal at Mohammed V Airport for intercontinental flights, Morocco is investing heavily to meet FIFA's standards.
Strategic Partnerships and Financial Backing for the Desalination Project
This week, Rabat has initiated efforts to attract companies interested in participating in the project, with the Spanish embassy in Morocco actively disseminating the proposal through its Economic and Commercial Office. However, Morocco's significant challenge for the World Cup stems from its historical vulnerability regarding water resources. The reliance on rainfall in desert regions has led to severe drought episodes over the past decade. The Moroccan government asserts that this issue will be addressed with the operation of the Sidi Rahal desalination plant, located 85 kilometers south of Casablanca and projected to be the largest stadium in the world, seating 115,000 spectators. According to Moroccan officials, this facility is expected to generate record revenues exceeding €150 million over Madrid's proposal.
The desalination project, estimated to cost around €887 million, was launched in 2024, strategically timed to be included in Morocco's technical proposal to FIFA. The document submitted to the global football governing body states, "As part of its efforts to enhance water efficiency, Morocco has commenced the construction of Africa's largest desalination plant in Casablanca. This initiative, a joint venture between Moroccan and Spanish companies, was inaugurated by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan." Morocco emphasizes that hosting the FIFA World Cup serves as a catalyst for strengthening economic cooperation and reciprocal investments across all sectors, a trend consistently observed among host nations. Spain, under the decision of Pedro Sánchez's government, has been instrumental in financing the project, although no investments from Morocco are expected in Spain.
Specifically, Spanish funding has been facilitated through three instruments: a €250 million loan from the Internationalization Fund for Companies (FIEM), awarded under favorable conditions; a second loan from the Spanish Export Credit Insurance Company (Cesce) covering approximately €60 million; and a €31 million loan structured through the Fund for Investments Abroad of the Spanish Financing Development Company (Cofides). Acciona secured the contract for the desalination plant in November 2023, emerging victorious over five competing consortiums, which included other Spanish companies such as Tedagua, Abengoa, and Lantania. Acciona's partners, Green of Africa and AfriquiaGaz, are part of the Akwa group, whose CEO is currently Aziz Ajanuch, the Moroccan prime minister and the wealthiest person in the country after King Mohammed VI.
Following the contract award, construction commenced in the summer of 2024, but a crucial milestone remained: securing full funding for the project. Morocco aimed to develop the largest desalination facility in Africa but was unwilling to bear the entire construction cost. This is where Spain stepped in, announcing in May that it would cover at least €340 million of the total expenses. Consequently, the consortium Al Baidaa Desalination Company, formed by Acciona and the prime minister's companies, managed to construct approximately 40% of the desalination plant using Spanish public funds. Sources from competing firms indicated that the involvement of the prime minister's business group was the decisive factor in the bidding process, leading to the widespread belief that the contract would inevitably go to Acciona.
