Moroccan Football Federation submitted an official request to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday making this its fifth attempt to host the most widely viewed and followed sporting event in the world.
After being slightly edged out by South Africa in 2010, Morocco aims to compete against North American nations as the 2026 tournament bid will be restricted to countries outside the European and Asian Confederations given the fact that Russia and Qatar will host the coming editions in 2018 and 2022 respectively.
It is worth mentioning that in addition to having six stadiums in Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Fes, Marrakesh and Agadir with capacities of 45،000 or over, Morocco has hosted the Fifa Club World Cup in 2013 and 2014. The country was also backed by Gianni Infantino, current FIFA president, last year as he stated that the North African nation is capable of hosting a World Cup, though he did not specify a date.
Football’s governing body have announced earlier this year reforming the World Cup tournament, increasing the number of participating nations to 48, with this change set to be put into effect starting from the 2026 World Cup.
