(MENAFN- Morocco World News) 
Rabat – On Saturday, Morocco's 2026 World Cup Bid Committee unveiled the details of Morocco's World Cup bid book submitted on Thursday in Zurich.
In a press conference held in Casablanca, the chairman of the committee, Moulay Hafid Elalamy, discussed the key aspects of the Moroccan bid, including Morocco's proportional and lean campaign for the massive football tournament, the slogan ('Together for One Goal') and the official Morocco 2026 website.
According to Elalamy, Morocco's bid to host the FIFA World Cup is entirely in line with the economic and social development strategy established by the country under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
Elalamy, who is also the Minister of Trade and Industry, emphasized the notable work done by all the contributors and national partners to prepare a comprehensive and complete dossier to meet FIFA's requirements.
The official also introduced the cities that will be hosting World Cup matches if Morocco's bid is selected over the competing North American joint bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Elalamy has also promised a remarkable World Cup to celebrate the best of football. The World Cup in Morocco, according to the committee chairman will be beneficial for soccer supporters, FIFA, Morocco, the world and Africa.
The North African country will need to invest almost USD 16 billion to organize the massive tournament, including stadium construction, transportation, medical facilities and hotel construction.
So much to be done?
In order to host the World Cup, Morocco needs to build more stadiums that will meet FIFA standards. Moroccan bid planners are determined to create a budget of USD 3 billion exclusively for stadium building and to refurbish the five already existing stadiums. The country is planning to build nine new stadiums as well as training facilities. Another USD 3 billion will be devoted to accommodations, which will include the addition of more than 30,000 rooms to receive football fans, national delegations and the 48 participating World Cup teams.
According to the sports news outlet ESPN, one of the new stadiums being planned will be a 93,000-seat home for the national soccer team in Casablanca. The facility would also host the opening and final games during the 2026 World Cup.
Stadiums of about 46,000-seat capacity will be also built in Oujda and Tetouan, according to the bid committee. Other new stadiums of similar capacity are planned for Casablanca, Marrakech, El Jadida, Meknes, Nador and Ouarzazate.
On Saturday, the organizers wrote on their official Twitter account that 'Morocco 2026's six 'Legacy Modular Stadiums' are specifically designed to be downscaled after the tournament to provide a meaningful, lasting legacy for both Morocco and Africa.'
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The committee is also planning to renovate the five existing stadiums in five cities: Marrakech (95,565), Agadir (46,048), Fez (46,092), Rabat (46,500) and Tangier (65,000).
The decision as to where to locate stadiums was done with transportation and infrastructure considerations as key priorities. The committee selected the cities, all of which are located less than 550 kilometers from Casablanca. All are conveniently connected in terms of road, rail and air transport. This important factor will provide optimal transport conditions for players and fans.
The committee also revealed the designs of the stadiums to be built for the World Cup.
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World Cup Benefits
Elalamy underscored the benefits and the significant socio-economic impacts of organizing the World Cup in Morocco. The tournament, according to the Moroccan official, will serve as a catalyst for further development and will reinforce a dynamic of social and economic progress for both Morocco and Africa.
How the World Cup is Important for Morocco?
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