Morocco’s Hassan II Grand Stadium set to be completed in 2028, says Lekjaa

Morocco expects construction of the Hassan II Grand Stadium in Benslimane to be completed at the beginning of 2028, according to Morocco Football Federation president Fouzi Lekjaa.

The 115,000-capacity venue is being developed ahead of the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will host jointly with Spain and Portugal. Its completion around two years before the tournament would give Morocco time to use the stadium before the competition begins.

Speaking on the Moroccan television programme Sa’at al-Saraha on 2M, Lekjaa said the stadium was central to Morocco’s hopes of hosting the World Cup final, while also forming part of a wider urban development project in Greater Casablanca.

Stadium at centre of wider Casablanca development

Lekjaa said the Hassan II Grand Stadium would be more than a football venue and would contribute to a major restructuring of the urban area around Casablanca.

“The Hassan II Grand Stadium will contribute to the restructuring of the urban area of Greater Casablanca,” he said.

The project is expected to be accompanied by improvements to transport infrastructure, including a regional express rail network and a high-speed rail line.

“In the coming years, we will see Greater Casablanca in a different way,” Lekjaa added.

He also said an early completion would allow the Morocco national team to play at the stadium before the World Cup. Casablanca clubs Wydad and Raja could also use the venue, while it could host other major events.

“It is a good thing for the national team to play in this stadium before the World Cup,” Lekjaa said.

Morocco’s case for hosting the final

On the prospect of the stadium staging the 2030 World Cup final, Lekjaa said the tournament should be viewed as more than a division of matches between the three host nations.

He described the centenary edition of the World Cup as having civilisational and human significance, and referred to the royal message delivered by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI from Kigali announcing the joint organisation of the tournament with Spain and Portugal.

Lekjaa said the project was intended to strengthen the shared history of the Mediterranean, bring together people on both shores and promote coexistence and exchange among younger generations.

That shared vision, however, has not ended Morocco’s ambition to host the final. Lekjaa argued that stadium capacity should be a decisive factor in determining the venue for the closing match.

“The final should be awarded to the stadium with the largest capacity, and at present, that is the Hassan II Grand Stadium,” he said.

With room for 115,000 spectators, the Benslimane project is Morocco’s main argument in the contest to stage the final. The decision will depend on the final allocation of matches for the 2030 World Cup.