FIFA set to inspect Morocco’s six proposed 2030 World Cup stadiums before November ends

FIFA officials are expected to visit Morocco before the end of November to inspect the six stadiums proposed for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, as preparations gather pace across the three host nations.

The inspection will give the governing body an opportunity to assess Morocco’s proposed venues, including the Grand Stade Hassan II in Benslimane, which is emerging as the country’s leading candidate to host the World Cup final.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, the FIFA delegation will travel to Morocco after completing a series of inspections in Spain, where Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is scheduled for evaluation on Thursday, November 12.

The Grand Stade Hassan II, which is still under construction, is expected to attract particular attention. The proposed 115,000-capacity venue near Casablanca is being considered as a potential host for the tournament’s showpiece final.

Morocco’s other proposed venues are the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Grand Stade de Tanger, Grand Stade de Marrakech, Grand Stade d’Agadir and Fez Sports Complex.

However, FIFA has yet to decide which stadium will host the final, with the Santiago Bernabéu and Barcelona’s Camp Nou also under consideration.

FIFA assess infrastructure across three host nations

The Moroccan inspection forms part of FIFA’s wider evaluation programme covering the 2030 World Cup host countries.

In an official statement issued on October 27, the governing body confirmed that inspections would take place throughout November and December 2026, covering candidate venues in Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

The assessment will extend beyond the stadiums, with FIFA officials also examining transport networks, accommodation capacity, operational planning and other infrastructure required to host teams, supporters and tournament personnel.

Meetings with national and local authorities, stadium managers and other stakeholders will also form part of the evaluation process.

The delegation began its inspection tour in Portugal before moving to Spain, where visits have already taken place in Barcelona, Bilbao, San Sebastián and Zaragoza.

On Wednesday, FIFA representatives visited La Romareda Stadium in Zaragoza before travelling to Madrid.

Spanish Football Federation president Rafael Louzán is expected to welcome the delegation during Thursday’s inspection of the Santiago Bernabéu, while Atlético Madrid’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano is scheduled to be assessed on Friday.

Morocco’s preparations gather pace ahead of historic World Cup

The upcoming inspections will allow FIFA to evaluate the progress of Morocco’s proposed venues, particularly the construction of the Grand Stade Hassan II.

The North African country is preparing to co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, having been officially appointed as a joint host in December 2024.

The tournament will also feature three additional centenary matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to mark 100 years since the first World Cup.

Despite the ongoing inspections, FIFA has maintained that the final selection of stadiums and the distribution of matches have not yet been decided.