(MENAFN- Morocco World News) 
Rabat – Speaking at a press conference held on Saturday in Casablanca, the chairman of Morocco's 2026 World Cup Committee, Moulay Hafid Elalamy, said that the country will need a budget of USD 15.8 billion, including USD 3.2 billion from the private sector in order to stage the massive tournament.
The budget is set to cover the construction and renovation work of several infrastructure projects that must meet the criteria of FIFA.
During his presentation, Elalamy said that Morocco must have 14 stadiums, 130 training grounds and 12 advanced health facilities, all of which must meet international standards for the 2026 tournament.
Elalamy, who is also the Minister of Industry and Trade, said the country needs to build accommodation facilities that create a minimum of 5,500 rooms.
The chairman of the committee added that the infrastructure work will include the renovation of five existing stadiums across the country.
According to the Moroccan official, the North African country has all the assets to meet FIFA's requirements.
'The hotel capacity of the kingdom is growing at an annual rate of seven percent. With six percent growth, we can significantly exceed the 5,500 rooms required by FIFA in 2026,' he said.
Each stadium needs to be close to at least two training grounds and a hotel that includes 200 rooms. According to Elalamy, this is 'achievable by 2026.'
Regarding Morocco's strategy, the bid committee chairman said that Morocco 'integrated the needs of FIFA in our strategy taking into account the different requirements that the Moroccan file has to answer.'
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