Morocco Campaigns for 2026 World Cup Bid at WB & IMF

Morocco is promoting its 2026 World Cup bid within the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington as a senior Moroccan delegation paid visits to the two international financial institutions to highlight the Kingdom’s potential.

The visit (March 13-14) was a chance for the Moroccan delegation to shed light on Morocco’s potential and assets to host such international tournament. A focus was notably placed on Morocco’s stability, economic growth and infrastructure as well as on the Kingdom’s know-how in organizing international events.

The COP22 UN Climate Summit in Marrakech in November 2016 was a chance for the country to show its organization capabilities. The recently held CHAN event, an African cup of nations tournament dedicated to local players, was also a showcase of the country’s world-class stadiums and cities.

Morocco is making its fifth bid to host the 2026 World Cup, the first edition to involve 48 teams and 80 games packed into 32 competition days.

The Moroccan bid runs up against the joint might of the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In order to win, the North African nation will need to convince the 207 member associations in FIFA of its capabilities and advantages in the face of the joint North American bid.