Morocco is Building The World's Largest Football Stadium
- 24 hours ago
- 2 min read
Morocco will host the 2030 FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history, alongside Spain and Portugal, and the African nation is going all out to impress.
The country has unveiled its plans for a new venue in Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco. Named Grand Stade Hassan II, it is set to be the largest soccer stadium in the world, with a capacity of 115,000 - beating out Rungrado in North Korea (113,2812), Camp Nou, Barcelona (99,354) and FNB Stadium in Johannesburg (94,736). The Casablanca colossus will have a futuristic aesthetic firmly rooted in traditional Moroccan architecture. Particularly, the Grand Stade Hassan II draws from the concept of “moussem,” a type of yearly festival celebrated in large-scale, tent-like structural canopies. This custom is translated into the soaring tented roof that breaks through the greenery outside the city.
The roof canopy is made from a unique aluminum lattice that, from a distance, evokes soft cloth. This structure is held by a ring of 32 stairways, resulting in towering gateways framed by gardens installed on platforms over 90 feet above the ground. Green areas also dot the ground level, under the outer edges of the canopy. Together, these elements aim to evoke an image of an oasis beneath the translucent roof canopy.
Click to expand | Credit: Populous
Since the schedule for the 2030 FIFA World Cup is not yet set, this sweeping stadium is a key asset in Morocco’s campaign for hosting the final match. However, at the heart of its construction is its long-term use as the home for the Morocco national football team and two local clubs.
Morocco: Africa's Only High-Speed Railway is Expanding. Bullet trains have been all the rage in recent years, slashing travel times and helping to get cars off the road. And possibly in time for 2030 World Cup too.
