Morocco to invest extra $850m in World Cup transport links

Morocco plans to spend about MAD8 billion ($850 million) on infrastructure projects this year as it prepares to co-host the Fifa World Cup in 2030, its transport minister said.

The 2026 projects cover airport expansion and development, ports, roads and rail, said Abdul Samad Qayuh in comments published by Morocco’s official news agency on Tuesday.

The minister said $4 billion had been awarded to 148 infrastructure projects in 2025 and more funds would be allocated in this year’s budget. Morocco is expecting a massive influx of visitors for the 2030 tournament, which it is hosting with Spain and Portugal.

The projects include a high-speed train line linking Morocco’s main northwestern cities.

“We expect to finalise nearly 151 new projects this year worth around MAD8 billion,” said Qayuh. “Most of them are for rail projects.”

Last October, Morocco’s economy and finance minister Nadia Alaoui said the cabinet had approved $41 billion of infrastructure spending in the run-up to the World Cup.

“This big investment effort will be directed at funding infrastructure projects in various sectors and areas,” she told parliament.

“Priority will be given to the execution of transport and logistics projects with an emphasis on speeding up airport construction and expansion, bolstering the national airline’s fleet and completion of rail projects, mainly the high-speed train project.”

Further reading:

• Morocco tourism jumps as World Cup approaches
• Morocco gets $316m loan for airport upgrades
• Opinion: Rabat is piling on debt in hope of World Cup windfall