Casablanca official dismisses rumours of Mohammed V Stadium closure

Karim Glaibi, a member of the Casablanca City Council and of the Mohammed V Complex monitoring committee, has firmly denied speculation that the stadium is set to close in November.

In a statement addressed to Le Site Info Sport, Glaibi described the claims as unfounded and urged the public not to give weight to what he called “simple rumours.”

Talk of an imminent shutdown began circulating on Friday, with reports suggesting the Mohammed V Complex would close on 9 November—shortly after the international break scheduled for 10–18 November.

The speculation linked the alleged closure to planned renovation works ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to take place from 21 December to 18 January under the organisation of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

According to those rumours, the temporary suspension of activities was intended to allow major refurbishments so the venue could meet CAF requirements.

The claims quickly gained traction among football supporters in Casablanca and beyond, raising concerns for clubs that rely on the stadium for domestic and continental matches.

Glaibi, however, has moved to calm such fears, stressing that no official decision regarding closure has been made.

He emphasised that the Mohammed V Complex remains fully operational and that any announcements concerning its availability would come from the competent authorities rather than through unverified reports.

The Mohammed V Complex, one of Morocco’s most iconic football venues, serves as the home ground for both Raja Casablanca and Wydad Casablanca, two of the country’s most prominent clubs.

Any disruption to its availability would have significant consequences, particularly with the domestic league and CAF competitions running in parallel to the national team’s preparations for upcoming fixtures.

For now, the stadium remains open as normal, with no official confirmation of any planned interruption.

Glaibi’s intervention appears aimed at reassuring both supporters and stakeholders that the facility continues to function without disruption, while also pushing back against speculation that risks fuelling uncertainty around Morocco’s football calendar.

The matter has underlined the sensitivity surrounding stadium infrastructure in the run-up to major continental tournaments, with host nations often facing scrutiny about readiness.

In this case, however, Casablanca officials are keen to stress that the rumours about Mohammed V are premature and without factual basis.

For the city’s football fans, the message is clear: until formal announcements are issued by the authorities, Mohammed V Stadium remains open for business.