Grand Stade de Casablanca will be the largest Stadium in the world ahead of 2030 Mundial
Morocco is set to co-host the World Cup 2030 alongside Spain and Portugal. The Iberian Peninsula that has these countries was awarded the hosting right of centenary celebration of the Mundial ahead of Southern American bid including Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile.
The Grand Stade de Casablanca which will be 115,000 seater is one of stadia set to be built to host the rest the world six year from now. Alongside revamped Santiago Bernabeau and Camp Nou, the Grand Stade of Casablanca could rival the giant European stadia to host the finals.
For a country that dreamt of hosting the Mundial since 1994 after unsuccessful bids again in 1998, 2010 was made to add up to the Iberian Peninsula bid after war-torn Ukraine left off in the bid.
The Grand Stade Casablanca will be sited on 100 hectares land which is 24 miles north of Casablanca in El Mansouria near Benslimane Airport. The design of the stadium draw its inspiration from local custom known as “MOUSSEM”. It is an annual social gathering of more than 30 tribes from South of Morocco and Northwestern part of Africa. The stadium will have a grand tented roof emerging from a forested landscape.
The stadium will be built by UK- based Populous alongside Moroccan Architecture firms Oualalou and Choi. According to Morocco Workd News, estimated budget for the project is five billion Moroccan Dirham($495,804,550).
Populous Company President, Francois Clement has said the project is a “cornerstone” for the development of Morocco’s football infrastructure. He went on to say the stadium will comply with FIFA standards allowing it to host major games in the world’s most prestigious international competitions including World Cup 2030. “It will be an immense asset to the country, elevating Morocco to the highest global platform of sporting infrastructure development”. Said by Francois Clement.
The consortium who selected Populous and Co have experience on other projects like the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, Khalifa Stadium in United Arab Emirates and Heathrow Airport in London.
Story By: Awal Mohammed Hudu
