Morocco's Infrastructure Ready for 2030 World Cup, but Access Concerns Linger
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has been a resounding success, with Morocco emerging as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. The country's preparation for the 2030 World Cup is well underway, and while there are still some concerns about access to stadiums, Morocco's infrastructure appears to be well-equipped to host the tournament.
The six cities hosting games in this year's Cup of Nations - Rabat, Tangier, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, and Fez - are all candidates for 2030. The stadiums in rural areas have been renovated or built from scratch, with a new 115,000-capacity stadium set to be constructed in Casablanca. Pitches have received widespread praise, despite the heavy rain that has caused some issues.
The high-speed Al-Boraq rail service connecting Rabat and Tangier is an impressive feat, and Morocco plans to extend it through Casablanca to Marrakech by 2030. However, there are concerns about access to stadiums, particularly in smaller cities like Marrakech. The stadium's location out of town, combined with only one access road, led to chaotic scenes during CΓ΄te d'Ivoire's last-16 win over Burkina Faso.
Beyond the infrastructure, Morocco has a well-developed tourist infrastructure that has coped with the influx of visitors for the Cup of Nations without significant price increases. However, the stresses of hosting a World Cup could prove more challenging.
The big question on everyone's mind is whether any African side can make it to the World Cup semi-finals. Morocco and Senegal have made significant strides, while Egypt and Algeria are also showing promise. With some luck, CΓ΄te d'Ivoire might just pull off an upset or two.
Ultimately, Morocco has laid a solid foundation for its bid to host the 2030 World Cup. While there are still some concerns about access, the country's infrastructure is well-prepared, and its teams are starting to make waves on the international stage. As the tournament draws to a close, one thing is certain: Africa is finally starting to make its mark on the global football stage.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has been a resounding success, with Morocco emerging as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. The country's preparation for the 2030 World Cup is well underway, and while there are still some concerns about access to stadiums, Morocco's infrastructure appears to be well-equipped to host the tournament.
The six cities hosting games in this year's Cup of Nations - Rabat, Tangier, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, and Fez - are all candidates for 2030. The stadiums in rural areas have been renovated or built from scratch, with a new 115,000-capacity stadium set to be constructed in Casablanca. Pitches have received widespread praise, despite the heavy rain that has caused some issues.
The high-speed Al-Boraq rail service connecting Rabat and Tangier is an impressive feat, and Morocco plans to extend it through Casablanca to Marrakech by 2030. However, there are concerns about access to stadiums, particularly in smaller cities like Marrakech. The stadium's location out of town, combined with only one access road, led to chaotic scenes during CΓ΄te d'Ivoire's last-16 win over Burkina Faso.
Beyond the infrastructure, Morocco has a well-developed tourist infrastructure that has coped with the influx of visitors for the Cup of Nations without significant price increases. However, the stresses of hosting a World Cup could prove more challenging.
The big question on everyone's mind is whether any African side can make it to the World Cup semi-finals. Morocco and Senegal have made significant strides, while Egypt and Algeria are also showing promise. With some luck, CΓ΄te d'Ivoire might just pull off an upset or two.
Ultimately, Morocco has laid a solid foundation for its bid to host the 2030 World Cup. While there are still some concerns about access, the country's infrastructure is well-prepared, and its teams are starting to make waves on the international stage. As the tournament draws to a close, one thing is certain: Africa is finally starting to make its mark on the global football stage.