With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fast approaching, Morocco’s Grand Stade de Tangier has captured global attention by setting a new world record in stadium construction—completing the installation of 60 massive steel roof beams in just 28 days.
The feat, unmatched in scale and speed, was confirmed following the placement of 60 steel beams, each weighing 105 tons and stretching nearly 60 metres in length.
The operation, which began on 15 June, was completed in under a month—halving the time it took to install a similar roof structure at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium in 2017.
This breakthrough in construction speed and engineering precision places the Grand Stade de Tangier among the elite tier of stadiums globally, further boosting Morocco’s preparations to host the continent’s most prestigious football tournament.
The ambitious project has been underpinned by meticulous coordination and an around-the-clock workforce.
Twelve professional climbers have been scaling heights of up to 40 metres daily, operating 8 to 10 hours a day to guide each beam into place.
🇲🇦🏟️ Grand Stade de Tanger: les poutres de toiture installées en un temps record pic.twitter.com/V36Kgyzk5H
— Le360 (@Le360fr) July 12, 2025
Each piece required over three hours of pre-installation preparation before being hoisted with an advanced lifting system designed to ensure maximum accuracy and safety.
More than 500 workers, engineers, and technicians have been deployed across day and night shifts to meet strict deadlines.
Every element, from the structural design to the material production, has been executed locally, underscoring Morocco’s industrial and engineering capabilities.
This is more than a construction achievement—it’s a demonstration of Morocco’s capacity to deliver major infrastructure projects efficiently, and to a world-class standard, said a project engineer involved in the build. Everything was produced here, showing what Moroccan industry is capable of.
While other host nations for future African football events—namely Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania for AFCON 2027—grapple with infrastructure challenges, Morocco’s message is clear: its venues will be ready, and they will rival the best.
The Grand Stade de Tangier, already undergoing extensive modernization of its stands and pitch, is now firmly positioned as a centrepiece for the upcoming tournament.
With its newly completed roof and a pace-setting construction timeline, the stadium has not only raised the bar but entered the record books.
This achievement offers more than just reassurance about Morocco’s readiness—it delivers a bold statement of ambition, precision, and continental leadership in infrastructure.
