In this sense, he stressed the commitment of the Ministry of the Interior to provide all necessary means and resources to accelerate the implementation of this “urgent action plan” and the optimal implementation of its provisions as soon as possible. The Minister noted that the objective is to design an action plan that will be translated into practice by a large number of agreements at the local level.
He stressed the importance of the timing of this meeting, which provides an opportunity to further explore the work to be undertaken. (transport, accommodation, connectivity, sports infrastructure) and the challenges to be met in each of the strategic areas and to discuss the measures to be implemented to meet FIFA’s requirements.
Laftit announced the holding of periodic and regular meetings to ensure the monitoring of the implementation of this action plan, calling on the various stakeholders to fully adhere to the implementation of this project in accordance with the High Royal Orientations.
He recalled that this meeting, which constitutes the first stage of a series of meetings in different regions of the Kingdom, comes two months after the holding in Rabat of an expanded meeting as part of the intense preparations for the organization of the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, in accordance with the Royal Vision and Will carrying a strong ambition to ensure a great success of this international event. He considered it “imperative” to take stock of the action of the stakeholders at the local level in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
Lekjaa calls for horizontal coordination for successful preparation of the 2030 World Cup
For this part, Fouzi Lekjaa called on all stakeholders at the level of the spiritual capital to redouble their efforts and to opt for horizontal coordination to successfully organize the World Cup 2030.
Lekjaa indicated that the organization by the Kingdom of this global competition, alongside Spain and Portugal, is part of a calendar of global competitions hosted by Morocco, including the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. The official stressed that “this is an ongoing process beyond 2030.” He added that to meet these challenges, it is imperative to redouble efforts and opt for all-out action, horizontal coordination and a global vision at the ministerial, sectoral and institutional levels, which must be translated into action at the local level.
In the same context, Lekjaa insisted on the need for the Fez-Meknes region as a whole, in particular the neighboring towns of Fez which have significant potential, to fully adhere to this major project, expressing the commitment and determination of the Moroccan organizing committee of the 2030 World Cup and the Federation to provide their support in order to win this challenge.
For his part, the wali of the Fez-Meknes region, governor of the Fez prefecture, Said Zniber highlighted the work done in the framework of these preparations in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior and the Federation. He explained that the project developed by the wilaya covers nine components affecting several areas, including stadiums, transport and mobility, connectivity, accommodation, sustainable development, education and professional training. According to him, the objective is to translate FIFA’s requirements into actions for a better organization of this event.
For his part, the general director of the Regional Investment Center of Fez-Meknes, Yassine Tazi, reviewed the main points of the Fez offer in relation to FIFA requirements for the organization of the 2030 World Cup. “Fez has a number of important assets that will enable it to attract a maximum number of spectators and supporters, whether it is its geographical positioning, young and dynamic human capital, or its international reputation,” said Mr. Tazi, recalling that the spiritual capital of the Kingdom was voted the best cultural destination in the world by Tripadvisor in 2023. Referring to the infrastructure aspect, he said that the large stadium in the city of Fez is undergoing renovation, spread over two phases to meet the requirements of CAF for the 2025 CAN and Fifa for the 2030 World Cup. The renovation plan for the large stadium, which will have a capacity of 52,000 spectators, incorporates FIFA’s guiding principles, namely three security perimeters, no crossing of flows, specific and restricted access and FIFA spaces and equipment, he noted.
During this meeting, several speakers reiterated their determination to redouble their efforts and mobilize all capacities and means to ensure a distinguished organization of this global event. This meeting comes after the one held on May 2 at the headquarters of the Ministry of the Interior in Rabat as part of the intense preparations for the organization of the 2030 World Cupin accordance with the Royal Vision and Will carrying a strong ambition to ensure a great success of this international event.
