FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the Grand Stade de Tanger accompanied by Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, to inspect the renovation work ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This visit highlights Morocco’s strategic emphasis on its sports infrastructure as part of its regional and global football stature.
During the visit, Infantino praised Morocco’s rise on the global football stage, describing the country as now part of the « global football elite, » thanks to continuous investments in state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced training programs, and successful hosting of major competitions. Key projects such as the Grand Stade de Tanger, with its spectacular roof structure—the second largest worldwide after Brazil’s Maracanã—demonstrate these efforts, involving Moroccan companies and international technical support.
The Grand Stade de Tanger, with a capacity of 75,000 seats, is in the final phase of renovation to be ready by late September 2025. Renovations include a new hybrid pitch, an innovative German textile membrane roof, and major structural improvements to properly host the 2025 AFCON and key matches of the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Infantino expressed admiration for the « passion, vision, and exemplary governance » of Moroccan football, encouraging other nations to draw inspiration from this model that combines African ambitions with growing global influence. This recognition reflects Morocco’s rise as not only an African football hub but also a key player on the international football scene.