Business, Infrastructure Projects, Investment

2030 World Cup: Morrocco to Receive $316 million From AfDB to Upgrade Airports

Emmanuel Eze

December 12, 2025

The African Development Bank (AfDB) said on Friday it would lend Morocco 270 million euros ($316 million) to finance upgrades to the country’s airport infrastructure in time for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Morocco plans to invest 38 billion dirhams ($4 billion) to increase overall passenger capacity at its airports to 80 million by 2030, from 38 million currently, as it prepares for a surge in tourist arrivals ahead of the World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

The loan will help expand passenger terminals and modernise equipment at airports in the key tourist hubs of Marrakech, Again, Tangier and Fez, AfDB said in a statement.

The financing brings AfDB’s total commitments to Morocco this year to 1.3 billion euros, reinforcing the country’s position as the bank’s largest client.

2030 World Cup

The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be the 24th edition of football’s premier international tournament marking 100 years since the very first World Cup in 1930.

The tournament will be hosted across six countries on three continents — Spain, Portugal, and Morocco as the primary hosts, with the opening centenary celebration matches held in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to honour the location and legacy of the inaugural 1930 event.

The competition will feature 48 teams, continuing the expanded format introduced in 2026, with matches scheduled between June and July 2030 and venues spread across multiple cities in the co-host nations.

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Spain is expected to stage the largest number of matches with a slate of major stadiums including Barcelona’s Camp Nou and Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu, while Morocco and Portugal will also host key fixtures across several cities.