2030 World Cup Drives New Economic Alliance Between Morocco, Spain and Portugal

2030 World Cup Drives New Economic Alliance Between Morocco, Spain and Portugal

By Niyi Busari 

Preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup are already generating a new wave of trilateral economic cooperation between Morocco, Spain and Portugal, as public and private stakeholders move to shape a legacy extending well beyond football, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

On Tuesday, February 10, 2025, the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat — a flagship symbol of Morocco’s sports development strategy — hosted the Morocco–Spain–Portugal Business Forum dedicated to preparations for the 2030 World Cup. The event underscored the broader strategic cooperation emerging among the three host nations of the historic tournament, which will be staged across two continents.

Co-organized by the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) and the Portuguese Business Confederation (CIP), the forum brought together senior government officials, business leaders and economic stakeholders from the three countries. Spain’s Ambassador to Morocco, Enrique Ojeda Vila, and Portugal’s Chargé d’Affaires in Rabat, Nuno Gabriel Cabral, were also in attendance.

Speakers highlighted the unprecedented nature of the 2030 edition, which will see three neighboring countries — united by geography, history and deep economic ties — coordinate the hosting of more than 100 matches. The logistical complexity of organizing a tournament across multiple cities and two continents will require close harmonization of infrastructure, transport networks, security systems and operational standards. Participants described this coordination as a unique opportunity to build sustainable, long-term economic partnerships.

Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and Morocco’s Minister Delegate for the Budget, emphasized the symbolic importance of the venue. He described the Mohammed VI Complex as a reflection of King Mohammed VI’s vision for sports development and youth empowerment at both national and international levels. The complex, which hosts a permanent FIFA office, has become a central hub for global football development initiatives.

Lekjaa also pointed to Morocco’s recent hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations as a successful milestone on the road to 2030, noting that the tournament was entirely organized and delivered by Moroccan companies and expertise. He described it as a key step in building the operational capacity required for the World Cup.

Marking the centenary of the first World Cup in 1930, the 2030 edition will be the first to be jointly hosted across Africa and Europe. Lekjaa stressed that the geographic proximity and longstanding cultural and economic ties between Morocco, Spain and Portugal provide a decisive advantage in ensuring the event’s success.

He acknowledged the significant organizational challenges ahead, noting that national teams could potentially play matches in different cities and countries within a short timeframe — for example, Madrid, Marrakech and Lisbon — requiring seamless coordination in logistics, transportation, infrastructure and security.

CGEM President Chakib Alj described the forum as a strategic platform aimed at fostering joint investment and innovation. He emphasized that the World Cup must be viewed not merely as a sporting event, but as a driver of economic growth, social cohesion and sustainable development.

Against the backdrop of shifting global value chains, Alj argued that stronger regional economic integration is essential. He cited Spain’s transformation following the 1982 FIFA World Cup and the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games as examples of how major sporting events can catalyze modernization and enhance international positioning.

Detailing Morocco’s preparations, Alj announced that the capacity of six major airports will be doubled, the national highway network will expand by nearly 30 percent, and the high-speed rail line linking Kenitra to Marrakech will be operational. He also highlighted strategic logistics projects, including Nador West Med and the Atlantic Port.

According to Alj, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations served as a full-scale rehearsal, generating direct economic returns estimated at over €2 billion from approximately €1 billion in sports infrastructure investment. The tournament reportedly created more than 60,000 direct and indirect jobs, mobilized over 3,000 Moroccan companies and provided training opportunities for thousands of young people.

Concluding his remarks, Alj emphasized the wide-ranging cooperation opportunities in infrastructure, tourism, technology, healthcare and vocational training. He affirmed CGEM’s commitment to facilitating partnerships among economic operators in the three countries, positioning the 2030 World Cup as a unique opportunity to forge a lasting and diversified economic alliance.