Will Morocco's World Cup Hosting Lead to Future Competitions in Africa?

Morocco is one of a few countries that's set to host the World Cup in 2030, which is shaping up to be a monumental affair. The African nation is sharing the honours with Spain and Portugal, but there will also be three games in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay respectively.

With the World Cup having only taken place in an African nation once before, Morocco will be expected to put on a show and make a case for it to return to the continent in the future.

Back in Africa for a Second Time

Despite being the 24th World Cup, the 2030 edition of the tournament will mark only the second time that it has taken place in Africa. South Africa were the last hosts in 2010, and Morocco will now be representing the continent. To ensure that fans get the best impression of Africa possible, the country is undertaking some exciting infrastructure projects.

Indeed, people who attend the tournament will be able to watch matches at the planned Grand Stade Hassan II near Casablanca, which is set to be the world's largest football stadium. Once completed in 2028, it will have a capacity of 115,000 and will be Morocco's official home venue. It's also expected to host the World Cup final.

The African Development Bank has approved a �650 million loan to Morocco to enhance transportation infrastructure ahead of the tournament. This will make it easier for visitors to get around when in the country for the competition.

As it stands, there are no other plans for future tournaments in African countries. It could all hinge on how well Morocco's hosting goes. If it turns out to be a success, it may inspire other nations in the continent to bid for a World Cup.

Will African Teams Compete for the Trophy?

Morocco is the most successful African nation in the World Cup to date, having reached the semi-finals in 2022. They were ultimately knocked out by France, who then went on to lose to Argentina in the final. Morocco finished in fourth place after losing to Croatia in the third place play-off.

Going into the 2026 competition, Morocco has a better chance of winning than any other African nation according to the football bet odds. They can be backed at around 150/1, highlighting just how unlikely it is, however, that they'll ultimately be able to topple the giants like France and Brazil.

However, there's plenty of time between now and 2030 for African nations to put plans in place to succeed at the tournament in Morocco. Some countries like Nigeria, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast have had strong teams in their history but have struggled for consistency. Working on ways to improve grassroots football and football infrastructure in these countries could set them up for greater success in the future.

Morocco has some bold plans for the World Cup, and it could end up being the most attractive option of the three main host countries for fans. If the African nation manages to put on a good show, the tournament could well head back to the continent in upcoming competitions.

Football Grounds To Visit While You Still Can

All good things have to come to an end, and the same unfortunately has to be said for football stadiums too. This article looks at the grounds which are soon to host their last match, the stadiums whose days are numbered and where fans will be watching their football from next.