View source for Morocco 2026 FIFA World Cup bid

{{EngvarB|date=June 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox international football competition
| tourney_name = FIFA World Cup Bid
| year = 2026
| other_titles = Morocco 2026<br />ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ 2026 (Berber)<br/>2026 المَغْرِبْ (Arabic)<br /> Maroc 2026 (French)<br /> Marruecos 2026 (Spanish)
| image =Morocco 2026 FIFA World Cup bid logo.svg
| size  = 160px
| caption =
| country = Morocco
| site  =
| dates =
| confederations = 6
| num_teams = 48
| venues = 14
| cities = 12
| champion =
| count =
| second =
| third =
| matches =
| goals =
| attendance =
| top_scorer =
| player =
}}
The '''Morocco 2026 FIFA World Cup bid''' was [[Morocco]]'s unsuccessful bid to host the [[2026 FIFA World Cup]]. It competed with the [[United 2026 FIFA World Cup bid|United 2026 bid]] of Canada, Mexico, and the United States for hosting rights.
== Background ==
The 2026 bid was Morocco's fifth bid to host the [[FIFA World Cup]] after four unsuccessful attempts in [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]], [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]], [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]] and [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]] lost out to the United States, France, Germany and South Africa. If successful, it would have been the second African country, after the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 tournament]] in South Africa to host a World Cup.
==Bid process==
{{Main|2026 FIFA World Cup}}
Bidding for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was postponed due to the [[2015 FIFA corruption case]] and the subsequent resignation of [[Sepp Blatter]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Scandal-plagued FIFA postpones 2026 World Cup bidding |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-10/fifa-world-cup-2026-bidding-postponed/6536834 |work=ABC News |access-date=11 June 2015 |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611080509/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-10/fifa-world-cup-2026-bidding-postponed/6536834 |archive-date=11 June 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> then it was restarted following the FIFA Council meeting on 10 May 2016, wherein the bidding process will consist of four phases:<ref name="process">{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/y=2016/m=5/news=fifa-council-agrees-on-four-phase-bidding-process-for-2026-fifa-world--2790472.html|title=FIFA Council agrees on four-phase bidding process for 2026 FIFA World Cup|publisher=FIFA|date=10 May 2016|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510215719/http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/y%3D2016/m%3D5/news%3Dfifa-council-agrees-on-four-phase-bidding-process-for-2026-fifa-world--2790472.html|archive-date=10 May 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*May 2016&nbsp;– May 2017: a new strategy and consultation phase
*June 2017&nbsp;– Dec 2017: enhanced phases for bid preparation
*March 2018&nbsp;– June 2018: bid evaluation
*June 2018: final decision
With no rival bid having emerged since April 2017, the CONCACAF member federations of Canada, Mexico and the United States sent a joint request to FIFA to hasten the bid process. Canada, Mexico and the United States wanted FIFA to award the bid outside the traditional bidding process at the June 2018 FIFA Congress in Moscow if the CONCACAF bid meets FIFA requirements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kwese.espn.com/football/fifa-world-cup/story/3101103/us-led-2026-world-cup-bid-to-ask-fifa-for-approval-this-year-sources|title=CONCACAF to ask FIFA to fast-track U.S.-led 2026 World Cup bid -- sources|date=11 April 2011|access-date=8 May 2017|url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523132431/http://kwese.espn.com/football/fifa-world-cup/story/3101103/us-led-2026-world-cup-bid-to-ask-fifa-for-approval-this-year-sources|archive-date=23 May 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-soccer-fifa-worldcup-idUSKBN1841XW|title=FIFA Council set to back North American 2026 World Cup bid|date=8 May 2017|work=Reuters}}</ref>
However, the [[FIFA Council]] decided on 8 May 2017 that [[FIFA]] would have a full bidding procedure. To ensure continental rotation of hosting duties, only the member associations of [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]], [[CONCACAF]], [[CONMEBOL]] and the [[Oceania Football Confederation|OFC]] were invited, as these continental confederations had not hosted the two previous World Cups.<ref name=fifa_council>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/y=2017/m=5/news=fifa-council-prepares-congress-takes-key-decisions-for-the-future-of-t-2883353.html|title=FIFA Council prepares Congress, takes key decisions for the future of the FIFA World Cup|publisher=FIFA|date=9 May 2017|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618072825/http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/y%3D2017/m%3D5/news%3Dfifa-council-prepares-congress-takes-key-decisions-for-the-future-of-t-2883353.html|archive-date=18 June 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> A date of 11 August 2017 was set for submission of an intention to bid,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1050176/fifa-council-keeps-bidding-window-for-2026-world-cup-open-for-further-three-months|title=FIFA Council keeps bidding window for 2026 World Cup open for further three months|date=9 May 2017|publisher=Inside the Games}}</ref> and on that day, the [[Royal Moroccan Football Federation]] announced that it would submit a bid for the [[2026 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.frmf.ma/fr/article/le-maroc-d%C3%A9pose-officiellement-sa-candidature-pour-organiser-la-coupe-du-monde-2026 | title=Le Maroc dépose officiellement sa candidature pour organiser la Coupe du Monde 2026 |trans-title=Morocco officially submits its bid to organise the 2026 World Cup | date=11 August 2017 | work=FRMF.ma | publisher=[[Royal Moroccan Football Federation]] | language=fr }}</ref> In March 2018, the Morocco 2026 bid committee stated their plan to spend $16&nbsp;billion on preparing for the tournament, including building new transportation infrastructure, 21 new hospitals, a large number of new hotels and leisure facilities and building and/or renovating new stadiums.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2017/08/226720/9-stadiums-confirmed-moroccos-2026-world-cup-candidacy-amid-doubts-infrastructure-capabilities/|title=9 Stadiums Confirmed in Morocco's 2026 World Cup Candidacy, Amid Doubts of Infrastructure Capabilities|date=22 August 2017|publisher=Morocco World News}}</ref>
== FIFA Football tournament hosting experiences ==
Morocco have previously hosted a number of international [[Association football|football]] events.
* [[1988 Africa Cup of Nations]]
* [[1997 African Youth Championship]]
* [[2011 CAF U-23 Championship]]
* [[2013 African U-17 Championship]]
* [[2013 FIFA Club World Cup]]
* [[2014 FIFA Club World Cup]]
* [[2018 African Nations Championship]]
* [[2022 FIFA Club World Cup]]
==Bid committee==
[[File:Moulay Hafid Elalamy, March 2014 (15038512716) (cropped).jpg|thumb|150px|Moulay Hafid Elalamy in March 2014]]
On 10 January 2018, King [[Mohammed VI of Morocco|Mohammed VI]] appointed [[Moulay Hafid Elalamy]] as chairman of the bid committee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mapnews.ma/en/activites-royales/chairmanship-morocco%E2%80%99s-2026-world-cup-bid-committee-assigned-hm-king-my-hafid-elal|title=Chairmanship of Morocco's 2026 World Cup Bid Committee Assigned by HM the King to My Hafid Elalamy|publisher=Maghreb Arabe Press|date=10 January 2018|access-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111085852/http://www.mapnews.ma/en/activites-royales/chairmanship-morocco%E2%80%99s-2026-world-cup-bid-committee-assigned-hm-king-my-hafid-elal|archive-date=11 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Two days later the London-based agency VERO Communications was appointed as Lead Communications and Strategy Consultants of the Moroccan bid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.verocom.co.uk/vero-appointed-lead-communications-and-strategy-consultants-for-morocco-2026-fifa-world-cup-bid/|title=VERO Appointed Lead Communications and Strategy Consultants for Morocco 2026 FIFA World Cup Bid|website=www.verocom.co.uk|language=en-GB|date=12 January 2018|access-date=12 January 2018}}</ref>
*Transportation infrastructure: new rail connections, new roads as well as highways and new aeroports or terminals.
*The healthcare system: about 21 new hospitals.
*The tourism industry: a large number of new hotels and leisure facilities.
*Sports infrastructure: about 130 football stadiums will be built or renovated (Morocco presently has 38 stadiums with 10,000 or more capacity)
== Bid venues ==
Stadiums must have been able to accommodate a {{convert|1900|m2|sqft|adj=on}} hospitality village no more than {{convert|150|m|ft}} from the stadium. They must also have had a capacity of at least 40,000 for group and second round matches, 60,000 for the semi-finals, and 80,000 for the opening match and final.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/worldcup/5389355/London-Olympic-Stadium-possible-venue-for-2018-World-Cup.html|title=London Olympic Stadium possible venue for 2018 World Cup|date=26 May 2009|publisher=Daily Telegraph|access-date=15 June 2009|first=Paul|last=Kelso|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530165918/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/worldcup/5389355/London-Olympic-Stadium-possible-venue-for-2018-World-Cup.html|archive-date=30 May 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 22 August 2017, Morocco established a list of stadia for its bid.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan=2|[[Casablanca]]
! colspan=2|[[Marrakesh]]
|-
| [[Grand Stade de Casablanca]]<br><small>(planned)</small>
| New Modular Stadium<br><small>(planned)</small>
| [[Marrakesh Stadium]]<br><small>(to be renovated)</small>
| Stade Mohammed V<br><small>(planned)</small>
|-
| Capacity: '''93,000'''
| Capacity: '''46,000'''
| Capacity: '''45,250'''<br /><small>Capacity for WC: '''69,565'''</small>
| Capacity: '''46,000'''
|-
| ''' '''
| ''' '''
|'''[[File:Stade de marrakech.jpg|200px]]'''
|''' '''
|-
|
|
|
|-
! [[Rabat]]
! [[Agadir]]
! [[Tangier]]
! [[Fez, Morocco|Fez]]
|-
| [[Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium]]<br><small>(to be renovated)</small>
| [[Adrar Stadium]]<br><small>(to be renovated)</small>
| [[Ibn Batouta Stadium]]<br><small>(to be renovated)</small>
| [[Fez Stadium]]<br><small>(to be renovated)</small>
|-
| Capacity: '''52,000'''<br /><small>Capacity for WC: '''46,500'''</small>
| Capacity: '''45,480'''<br /><small>Capacity for WC: '''46,048'''</small>
| Capacity: '''45,000'''<br /><small>Capacity for WC: '''65,000'''</small>
| Current capacity 45,000<br /><small>Capacity for WC: '''46,092'''</small>
|-
| ''' '''
| ''' '''
|''' '''
|''' '''
|-
|
|||
|
|-
! [[Tetouan]]
|colspan="2" rowspan="5"|
{{location map+|Morocco|width=500|float=center|caption=|places=
{{location map~|Morocco|lat=33.533333|long=-7.583333|label='''[[Casablanca]]'''|position=left}}
{{location map~|Morocco|lat=34.020882|long=-6.84165|label='''[[Rabat]]'''|position=left}}
{{location map~|Morocco|lat=30.433333|long=-9.6|label='''[[Agadir]]'''|position=left}}
{{location map~|Morocco|lat=31.63|long=-8.008889|label='''[[Marrakesh]]'''|position=right}}
{{location map~|Morocco|lat=34.033333|long=-5|label='''[[Fez, Morocco|Fez]]'''|position=right}}
{{location map~|Morocco|lat=35.766667|long=-5.8|label='''[[Tangier]]'''|position=left}}
{{location map~|Morocco|lat=35.566667|long=-5.366667|label='''[[Tétouan]]'''|position=right}}
{{location map~|Morocco|lat=34.686667|long=-1.911389|label='''[[Oujda]]'''|position=left}}
{{location map~|Morocco|lat=33.8730|long=-5.5407|label='''[[Meknes]]'''|position=bottom}}
{{location map~|Morocco|lat=33.2316|long=-8.5007|label='''[[El Jadida]]'''|position=bottom}}
{{location map~|Morocco|lat=35.1686|long=-2.9276|label='''[[Nador]]'''|position=top}}
{{location map~|Morocco|lat=30.9335|long=-6.9370|label='''[[Ouarzazate]]'''|position=right}}
}}
! [[Oujda]]
|-
| Stade de Tetouan<br><small>(Cancelled)</small>
| Stade d'Oujda<br><small>(Ongoing construction start)</small>
|-
| Capacity: '''55,000'''
| Capacity: '''45,600'''
|-
|''' '''
|''' '''
|-
|
|
|-
! [[Meknes]]
! [[Nador]]
! [[El Jadida]]
! [[Ouarzazate]]
|-
| Grand stade de Meknès <br /><small>(New Modular Stadium)</small><br><small>(planned)</small>
| New Modular Stadium<br><small>(planned)</small>
| New Modular Stadium<br><small>(planned)</small>
| New Modular Stadium<br><small>(planned)</small>
|-
| Capacity: '''46,000'''
| Capacity: '''46,000'''
| Capacity: '''46,000'''
| Capacity: '''46,000'''
|-
|''' '''
|''' '''
|''' '''
|''' '''
|}
=== Urban public transportation system ===
*[[Taxi]]: all the proposed cities have their own Taxi fleet.
*[[Bus]]: all the proposed cities have their own bus system for the urban public transportation.
*[[Tram]]:
**Existing and under extension/expansion: [[Rabat-Salé tramway|Rabat/Salé]], [[Casablanca Tramway|Casablanca]]
**Planned:<ref>{{Cite news|author=Lavieeco|url=http://lavieeco.com/news/actualite-maroc/marrakech-agadir-tanger-et-fes-auront-leurs-tramways-35692.html|title=Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier et Fès auront leurs tramways|work=Lavieeco|date=25 October 2015|access-date=24 April 2018|language=fr}}</ref> Tangier, Marrakech, Fez, Agadir.
*[[Rapid transit|Metro]]:
**Planned and temporarily abandoned:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/2014/07/03/97002-20140703FILWWW00030-1-tram-mais-pas-de-metro-aerien-a-casablanca.php |title=Le tram, mais pas de métro aérien à Casablanca |trans-title=Tram yes, but no elevated metro in Casablanca |date=3 July 2014 |publisher=Le Figaro |access-date=23 April 2018|language=fr}}</ref> [[Casablanca metro|Casablanca]]
*[[Réseau Express Régional|Regional Express Network (RER)]]:
**Existing and under extensionexpansion: [[Le Bouregreg|Rabat/Salé]], [[Al Bidaoui|Casablanca]]
=== Highways and roads ===
The [[Autoroutes of Morocco|Moroccan highway network]] connects most large cities in the country, being part of the [[Transport in Morocco|transportation infrastructure in Morocco]].
=== Rail network and rail transport ===
Additionally the [[Rail transport in Morocco|rail network]] connects all the proposed venues except [[Tetouan]], [[Ouarzazate]] and [[Agadir]]. However, there were plans for projects to connect Agadir to the Moroccan high speed network ([[TGV]]) via [[Marrakech]], and to connect Tetouan to the classic rail network via Tangier.{{Citation needed|date=June 2018}}
=== Airports and air transport ===
All the selected cities (except [[El Jadida]] and [[Meknes]]) have their own airports; see [[list of airports in Morocco]]. The [[Mohamed V International Airport]] in Casablanca is the main international gateway into Morocco.
==Support==
===Football confederations===
*[[Confederation of African Football|CAF]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mapnews.ma/en/top-news/sport/world-cup-2026-caf-supports-moroccos-bid-caf-president|title=World Cup 2026: CAF Supports Morocco's Bid (CAF President)|publisher=Maghreb Arabe Press|date=24 September 2017|access-date=10 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111151512/http://www.mapnews.ma/en/top-news/sport/world-cup-2026-caf-supports-moroccos-bid-caf-president|archive-date=11 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===FIFA members===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*{{flagicon|ALG}} [[Algerian Football Federation|Algeria]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/02/240083/algeria-supports-moroccos-2026-world-cup-bid/|title=Algeria Supports Morocco's 2026 World Cup Bid|date=6 February 2018|work=Morocco World News}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ANG}} [[Angolan Football Federation|Angola]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/12/c_137104293.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511081339/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/12/c_137104293.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 May 2018|title=Angola supports Morocco's bid to host 2026 FIFA World Cup|website=www.xinhuanet.com|access-date=11 June 2018}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Royal Belgian Football Association|Belgium]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/03/243231/belgium-endorses-moroccos-2026-world-cup-bid|title=Belgium endorses Morocco's 2026 bid}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|BOT}} [[Botswana Football Association|Botswana]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.soka25east.com/botswana-throws-weight-behind-moroccos-2026-world-cup-bid/|title=Botswana throws its weight behind Morocco's 2026 World Cup bid|last=Chuma|first=Festus|date=14 February 2018|website=www.soka25east.com|access-date=18 February 2018}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|CMR}} [[Cameroonian Football Federation|Cameroon]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/06/247790/cameroon-announces-official-supports-for-morocco-2026/|title=Cameroon Announces Official Supports For Morocco 2026|work=Morocco World News}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|COD}} [[Congolese Association Football Federation|Congo DR]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://apanews.net/en/news/drc-backs-moroccos-world-cup-bid|title=DRC backs Morocco's World Cup bid|publisher=APA News}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Egyptian Football Association|Egypt]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://en.yabiladi.com/articles/details/63612/2026-world-palestine-egypt-support.html|title=2026 World Cup : Palestine and Egypt support the Moroccan bid|publisher=Yabiladi}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[French Football Federation|France]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1063001/france-declare-support-for-moroccan-bid-for-2026-world-cup-as-officials-begin-promotional-tour-of-europe/|title=France declare support for Moroccan bid for 2026 World Cup as officials begin promotional tour of Europe|publisher=Inside the Games}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|GAM}} [[Gambia Football Federation|Gambia]]{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
*{{flagicon|GNB}} [[Football Federation of Guinea-Bissau|Guinea-Bissau]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43375441/|title=Guinea-Bissau backs Morocco's bid to host the 2026 World Cup|date=6 February 2018|work=BBC Sport}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|KEN}} [[Football Kenya Federation|Kenya]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://footballkenya.org/morocco-fifa-world-cup-bid-book-fkf/|title=Morocco presents 2026 FIFA World Cup bid book to FKF}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|LBN}} [[Lebanon Football Association|Lebanon]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/04/244458/lebanon-vote-morocco-2026-world-cup/|title=Lebanon to vote for Morocco 2026|work=Morocco World News}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|LBY}} [[Libyan Football Federation|Libya]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.libyaobserver.ly/sports/libya-vote-morocco%E2%80%99s-bid-host-2026-world-cup|title=Libya to vote for Morocco's bid to host 2026 World Cup|website=The Libya Observer|language=en|access-date=11 June 2018}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|LUX}} [[Luxembourg Football Federation|Luxembourg]]<ref name=serbia>{{Cite news|url=http://northafricapost.com/22870-serbia-luxemboug-vote-moroccos-2026-world-cup-bid.html|title=Serbia & Luxemboug to Vote for Morocco's 2026 World Cup Bid}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|MYA}} [[Myanmar Football Federation|Myanmar]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pouvoirsafrique.com/2018/04/30/mondial-2026-la-birmanie-soutient-la-candidature-du-maroc/|title=Mondial 2026: la Birmanie soutient la candidature du Maroc}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|NGA}} [[Nigeria Football Federation|Nigeria]]<ref>{{Cite news|author=Morocco World News|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/01/239349/nigeria-supports-moroccos-2026-world-cup-bid|title=Nigeria Supports Morocco's 2026 World Cup Bid|work=MoroccoWorldNews.com|date=27 January 2018|access-date=1 February 2018|language=en}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|PLE}} [[Palestinian Football Association|Palestine]]<ref>{{Cite news|author=Football Palestine|url=https://twitter.com/FutbolPalestine/status/978576847129673733|title=The Palestine Football Association has made it official, announcing its intent to back the @Morocco2026_EN bid to host the first 48 team World Cup.|work=FootballPalestine.com|date=27 March 2018|access-date=4 April 2018|language=en}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|QAT}} [[Qatar Football Association|Qatar]]<ref>{{Cite news|author=Rahul Bali|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/hassan-al-thawadi-qatar-to-support-moroccos-bid-for-world/1lw4hoc5ex07a1bcnykxspa8on|title=Hassan Al Thawadi: Qatar to support Morocco's bid for World Cup 2026|work=Goal.com|date=20 November 2017|access-date=10 January 2018|language=en}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Russian Football Union|Russia]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/03/243199/russia-moroccos-2026-world-cup/|title=Russia Backs Morocco's 2026 World Cup|date=26 March 2018|work=Morocco World News|access-date=11 June 2018|language=en-us}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|SEY}} [[Seychelles Football Federation|Seychelles]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://sport.le360.ma/football/les-seychelles-soutiennent-maroc-2026-57791|title=Les Seychelles soutiennent Maroc 2026}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|SEN}} [[Senegalese Football Federation|Senegal]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sport24info.ma/football/rsb-g-foot-le-senegal-tourne-la-page-et-reaffirme-son-soutien-a-morocco-2026/|title=RSB-G.Foot: le Sénégal tourne la page et réaffirme son soutien à Morocco 2026|publisher=Sport24}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|SRB}} [[Football Association of Serbia|Serbia]]<ref name=serbia/>
*{{flagicon|TUN}} [[Tunisian Football Federation|Tunisia]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/02/239941/tunisia-supports-moroccos-2026-world-cup-bid/|title=Tunisia Supports Morocco's 2026 World Cup Bid|date=4 February 2018|work=Morocco World News}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|UGA}} [[Federation of Uganda Football Associations|Uganda]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-11/09/c_136738037.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409044151/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-11/09/c_136738037.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 April 2018|title=Uganda to support Morocco in bid for 2026 FIFA World Cup|publisher=Xinhuanet}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|ZAM}} [[Football Association of Zambia|Zambia]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailynation.info/zambia-backs-moroccos-2026-world-cup-bid/|title=ZAMBIA BACKS MOROCCO'S 2026 WORLD CUP BID|publisher=Daily Nation}}</ref>
{{div col end}}
===Public opinion===
The bid committee showed that 97% of Moroccans were in favour of the World Cup, including 81% with strong support. 93% of Moroccans thought the event would have had a positive impact on economy and employment, 91% of Moroccans thought the event would have had a positive impact on sports participation, and 95% of Moroccans were interested in playing football.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/morocco-ready-to-host-fifa-world-cup-2026-face-tough-competition-from-united-states-canada-and-mexico-4395189|title=Morocco ready to host FIFA World Cup 2026, face tough competition from United States, Canada and Mexico}}</ref>
===Government support===
In January 2018, the Moroccan government stated its full support for Morocco's bid to host the 2026 World Cup.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/01/239060/morocco-2026-fifa-world-cup//|title=Govt. Supports Morocco's Bid to Host 2026 FIFA World Cup: Minister|work=www.moroccoworldnews.com|date=23 January 2018|access-date=23 January 2018|language=fr}}</ref>
==Marketing==
The logo was unveiled on 23 January 2018; it was inspired by the [[pentagram]] found on the Moroccan flag. The pentagram was surrounded by seven red leaves and kicking a football.
The slogan for the bid "Together for One Goal" (Arabic: "معا لهدف واحد") (French: "Ensemble pour le même but"),  was launched on 17 March 2018.
==Concerns, criticism and controversies==
In FIFA's evaluation report of the two bids, Morocco's bid was rated as being "high risk" for the organisation, compared with the other bid being labelled as low risk. The three categories with the worst scores were: stadiums, accommodation and transportation, which are the most important parts of any bid for the World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/canada-world-cup-bid-morocco-fifa-inspection-1.4688707|title=North American bid comes out ahead of Morocco in World Cup inspections|date=1 June 2018|website=www.cbc.ca/sports|publisher=[[CBC Sports]]|access-date=11 June 2018}}</ref> The overall bid scored 275 out of 500 points, significantly lower than the 402 scored by the other bid.<ref name=labour>{{cite news|last2=Dunbar|first2=Graham|last1=Harris|first1=Rob|date=1 June 2018|title=FIFA: N America World Cup bid outscores 'high-risk' Morocco|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/fifa-n-america-world-cup-bid-outscores-high-risk-morocco/2018/06/01/dd57cc72-65fa-11e8-81ca-bb14593acaa6_story.html?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608211731/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/fifa-n-america-world-cup-bid-outscores-high-risk-morocco/2018/06/01/dd57cc72-65fa-11e8-81ca-bb14593acaa6_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 June 2018|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|location=Washington D.C., USA|access-date=11 June 2018}}</ref>
In Morocco's previous World Cup bids, it was discovered that in two of those instances, the country tried to bribe voting officials. FIFA issued an integrity warning to the Moroccan bid in January 2018. The general secretary of FIFA [[Fatma Samoura]] warned voters in a letter "not to accept any technical or development support which may unduly affect the integrity of the bidding procedure".<ref>{{cite news|last=Panja|first=Tariq|date=29 January 2018|title=FIFA Issues Integrity Warning for 2026 World Cup Vote|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/sports/soccer/2026-fifa-world-cup-warning.html|work=[[New York Times]]|location=New York City, United States|access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref> Moroccan bid officials had at one point discussed a formal relationship with the [[Confederation of African Football]] (CAF) which would allow for training camps and other development activities for countries on the continent.<ref name=panja/>
The aforementioned Samoura was referred to FIFA's ethics committee after it was discovered she had familial links to [[El Hadji Diouf]], an ambassador of the bid. There was a complaint that deemed this relationship to be a [[conflict of interest]].<ref>{{cite news|date=25 April 2018|title=Fifa secretary general reported to ethics chiefs over World Cup bid|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43885958|work=[[BBC News]]|location=London, United Kingdom|access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref>
The transportation plans put forward by the bid team were rated as being of high risk for FIFA. Out of all the sections of the bid that were scored, the transportation section received the lowest at 2.1 out of 5.<ref name=risk>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1065759/morocco-avoids-elimination-as-fifa-task-force-progresses-both-2026-world-cup-bids|title=Morocco avoids elimination as FIFA Task Force progresses both 2026 World Cup bids|last=Morgan|first=Liam|date=1 June 2018|website=Insidethegames.biz|publisher=Dunsar Media|access-date=1 June 2018}}</ref> Concerns were raised over the dependence of just one airport for most of the flights (in Casablanca) and the lack of transportation links within cities and stadiums.<ref name=risk/> According to FIFA, the bid relied on high cost infrastructure across all modes of transportation in a shorter amount of time.<ref name=risk/>
The Moroccan bid would have needed to spend about US$16&nbsp;billion in upgrades to stadiums, building new stadiums and infrastructure. This represented about 16% of the country's [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] (US$100&nbsp;billion).<ref name=health>{{cite web|url=http://imadarchid.com/morocco-2026-worldcup-mistake/|title=Morocco's 2026 World Cup bid is an economic suicide|first=Imad|last=Archid|date=12 April 2018|website=www.imadarchid.com|access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref> This was compared with only 6% for public health.<ref name=health/> Increased spending for the World Cup, while social services receiving cuts caused a lot of protests during the last [[2014 World Cup|World Cup]] held in 2014 in Brazil.<ref>{{cite news|last=Watts|first=Jonathan|date=12 June 2014|title=Anti-World Cup protests in Brazilian cities mark countdown to kick-off|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/12/anti-world-cup-protests-brazilian-cities-sao-paulo-rio-de-janeiro|work=[[The Guardian]]|location=London, United Kingdom|access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref> There were no legacy plans for all the newly built stadiums. This was in contrast to the North American bid, which exclusively used existing stadiums and did not require any of the host countries to take on debt.<ref name=health/>
FIFA had to make a second unscheduled visit to Morocco, after the governing body was not satisfied with the requirements presented in the bid book as deficiencies were discovered, unlike the North American bid. Morocco's bid leader "acknowledged it had to improve the quality of the submission made to FIFA in March [2018] because inadequacies were identified" (by FIFA).<ref name=a>{{cite web|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/fifa-subjects-2026-morocco-world-173730435.html|title=FIFA subjects 2026 Morocco World Cup bid to fresh scrutiny|last=Harris|first=Rob|date=23 April 2018|website=www.uk.news.yahoo.com|publisher=[[Yahoo]]|access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref> When the bid was announced, only a two sentence statement was announced announcing the country's entrance into the competition. With less than six months remaining, Morocco named a chairman for its bid committee and did not have a logo or a website. This was in contrast with the North American bid, which was well ahead in planning at that point.<ref name=panja>{{cite news|last=Panja|first=Tariq|date=16 January 2018|title=Morocco Wants to Host the World Cup. Just Don't Ask for Any Details.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/16/sports/soccer/world-cup-morocco-2026.html|work=[[New York Times]]|location=New York City, United States|access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref>
FIFA's bid evaluation committee expressed concerns over the quality of stadiums proposed by the Moroccan bid. The committee "'noticed some deviations from the initial planned program" [in relations to the stadiums proposed]. Concerns were also raised over the quality of training grounds proposed. The president of the bid, Moulay Hafid Elalamy, mentioned that there was a need to "improve the quality of our bid book".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/morocco/story/3464496/fifa-questions-morocco-stadium-quality-after-surprise-inspection-of-infrastructure|title=FIFA questions Morocco stadium quality after surprise inspection of infrastructure|date=20 April 2018|website=www.espn.com|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=11 May 2018}}</ref> The Moroccan stadiums need extensive modernisation to match the stadiums proposed by the North American bid.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Harris|first1=Rob|last2=Dunbar|first2=Graham|date=16 March 2018|title=Morocco struggles to stay in 2026 cup contest vs North America|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/morocco-struggles-to-stay-in-2026-cup-contest-vs-north-america-1.3845731|work=[[CTV News]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=11 May 2018}}</ref> The stadium plans put forward by the bid team were rated as being of high risk for FIFA.<ref name=risk/>
FIFA criticised the bid for including several potential [[white elephant]] stadiums — expensive venues which their owners could not dispose of and whose costs, particularly those for maintenance, were out of proportion to their usefulness — compared with the North American bid, which used venues that were already in use by professional sports teams. This was done after Morocco complained of the bid process. FIFA replied, "In order to avoid unsustainable bids ... with the creation of 'white elephants' – something FIFA has been heavily criticised for in the past – the scoring system evaluates with objective criteria how meaningful and sustainable is the infrastructure presented in the bids".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/fifas-white-elephants-warning-morocco-bid-criticism/|title=FIFA's 'white elephants' warning after Morocco bid criticism|date=3 April 2018|website=www.sportsnet.ca|publisher=[[Sportsnet]]|access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2018/04/03/fifas-white-elephants-warning-after-morocco-bid-criticism/33519111/|title=FIFA's 'white elephants' warning after Morocco bid criticism|date=3 April 2018|website=www.usatoday.com|publisher=[[USA Today]]|access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref> Morocco was expected to spend US$16&nbsp;billion if successful in tournament infrastructure, while the North American bid needed no new tournament-specific infrastructure. This put much more risk on FIFA if it selected the Moroccan bid, as listed in the evaluation committee's review of the two bids. The Moroccan bid committee accepted the fact that it could not host the event tomorrow, but the North American bid could.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/4/blog/post/3435100/moroccos-2026-world-cup-bid-everything-you-need-to-know|title=Morocco's 2026 World Cup bid: Everything you need to know|last=Ogden|first=Mark|date=29 March 2018|website=www.espn.com|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=9 May 2018}}</ref>
Security was a concern for the bid. Morocco is in the [[North Africa|North African region]] which has experienced political instability and terrorist attacks in neighbouring countries of Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. A terror attack happened in 2011 in Marrakesh, a proposed host city for the bid. A total of 17 people were killed in the [[2011 Marrakesh bombing|attack]] at Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, which was also the proposed fan site if the bid was successful.<ref name=safety>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/3432772/morocco-2026-world-cup-bid-chief-no-need-for-security-fears|title=Morocco 2026 World Cup bid chief: No need for security fears|last=Ogden|first=Mark|date=27 March 2018|website=www.espn.com|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref>
FIFA rated the bid with a medium risk for human rights and labour standards.<ref name=labour/> Further concerns were raised when stray dogs were put to death by being shot while the FIFA inspection committee was there.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2018/04/17/fifa-2026-scrutineers-land-morocco-human-animal-rights-questions-raised/|title=FIFA 2026 scrutineers land in Morocco as human and animal rights questions raised|last=Warshaw|first=Andrew|date=17 April 2018|website=www.insideworldfootball.com|publisher=Inside World Football|access-date=11 June 2018}}</ref>
The Morocco bid projected a revenue of just US$785&nbsp;million, which was less than half of what the North American bid projected (at US$1.8&nbsp;billion).<ref name=inf/> This was the primary reason that [[FIFA]] president [[Gianni Infantino]] thought of preferring the North American bid.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1064300/fifa-preparing-for-second-inspection-of-morocco-2026-as-caf-president-calls-for-european-vote-trading-deal|title=FIFA preparing for second inspection of Morocco 2026 as CAF President calls for European vote-trading deal|last=Morgan|first=Liam|date=23 April 2018|website=Insidethegames.biz|publisher=Dunsar Media |access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref>
In its bid book, Morocco acknowledged issues with "ultra" fans, which are also known as violent supporters.<ref name=inf>{{cite news|date=26 March 2018|title=Morocco touts its gun safety in 2026 World Cup bid against U.S.|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2018/03/26/morocco-touts-gun-safety-in-2026-world-cup-bid-against-us/33290417/|work=[[USA Today]]|location=McLean, Virginia, United States|access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref> This was highlighted in February 2018, when 65 people were arrested and vandalism was caused at a stadium in [[Marrakesh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveprice/2018/03/04/morocco-reveals-2026-world-cup-bid-details/#237b89112549|title=Morocco Reveals 2026 World Cup Bid Details|last=Price|first=Steve|date=4 March 2018|work=[[Forbes]]|access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=26 February 2018|title=65 Hooligans in Custody, MAD 720,000 in Losses After Marrakech Stadium Vandalism|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2018/02/241423/65-hooligans-marrakech-stadium-vandalism/|work=[[Morocco World News]]|location=Rabat, Morocco|access-date=7 May 2018}}</ref>
FIFA expressed concerns over Morocco's hotel capacity. The country was expected to invest US$3.2&nbsp;billion in hotel capacity in the lead-up to 2026, if successful in the bid.<ref>{{cite news|date=21 April 2018|title=Fifa experts give Morocco 2026 World Cup bid mixed review|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43851428|work=[[BBC News]]|location=London, England|access-date=11 May 2018}}</ref> The evaluation committee had multiple questions in regards to the capacity of the accommodation proposed.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pablo Díaz|first=José|date=23 April 2018|title=Fifa experts express concerns about Morocco 2026 World Cup bid|url=https://en.as.com/en/2018/04/23/football/1524508535_110587.html|work=[[Diario AS]]|location=Madrid, Spain|access-date=11 May 2018}}</ref> About an additional 30,000 hotel rooms were thought to be needed for Morocco to stage the World Cup.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Rob|date=17 March 2018|title=Morocco takes on North America with $16B World Cup bid|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/morocco-world-cup-16-billion-bid-canada-fifa-1.4581414|work=[[Canadian Press]]|location=Toronto, Ontario, Canada|access-date=27 March 2018}}</ref> The accommodation plans put forward by the bid team were rated as being of high risk for FIFA, while the North American bid was rated as low risk.<ref name=risk/>
There were calls in some countries to not support the bid, due to the [[Western Sahara conflict]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201804220102.html|title=South Africa/Morocco: EFF Calls On Safa to Boycott Morocco's 2026 World Cup Bid Due to Morocco's Colonial Occupation Western Sahara|last=Quintin Ndlozi|first=Mbuyiseni|date=22 April 2018|website=www.allafrica.com|publisher=[[AllAfrica.com]]|access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref> South Africa did not support the bid, after ties between the two nations were strained since 2004 over the [[Western Sahara]] issue.<ref>{{cite news|date=8 May 2018|title=South Africa snubs Morocco's World Cup bid|url=http://apanews.net/index.php/en/news/safrica-will-not-back-moroccos-wcup-bid|work=Agence de Presse Africaine|access-date=26 May 2018}}</ref> Other countries such as Namibia also ruled out voting for Morocco, after it claimed, "It will never support nor align itself with a coloniser".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/western-sahara-conflict-impacts-morocco-2026-world-cup-bid-061118|title=Western Sahara conflict impacts Morocco 2026 World Cup bid|date=11 June 2018|work=[[Fox Sports]]|access-date=11 June 2018}}</ref>
==Aftermath==
{{For|2030 bid|Morocco–Portugal–Spain 2030 FIFA World Cup bid}}
After losing the 2026 bid, Morocco went on to bid for the [[2030 FIFA World Cup|2030 edition]] and was later unanimously awarded in a joint bid with [[Portugal]] and [[Spain]], giving Morocco to finally host it on their sixth attempt with centenary games to be held in the South American countries of [[Argentina]], [[Paraguay]] and [[Uruguay]].
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Official website|url=http://www.morocco26.com/}}
* [https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/31939d837a8ad761/original/weegrtyecqg3hjw8hmmr-pdf.pdf Bid book]
{{FIFA World Cup bids}}
[[Category:2026 FIFA World Cup bids|Morocco]]
[[Category:Morocco at the FIFA World Cup|Bid]]
[[Category:Controversies in Morocco]]