Real Madrid President's Company Eyes Casablanca's Hassan II Stadium Bid
Doha – Florentino Pérez's construction giant ACS is considering bidding on Morocco's ambitious World Cup stadium project. The Spanish firm is evaluating the multimillion-euro contract despite potential conflicts with Madrid's own 2030 World Cup final aspirations.
Spanish outlet Vozpópuli reports that ACS has been working 'behind the scenes for several months' on a potential bid. No final decision has been made as the company continues to assess various risks associated with the project.
The Casablanca stadium aims to accommodate 115,000 spectators. This would make it the largest stadium in the world. The massive venue is a central element in Morocco's campaign to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final.
The Moroccan government officially opened the bidding process last month. Proposals from interested construction companies are due by June 10. The contract for construction is valued at over €300 million (MAD 3.2 billion/$320 million), while the total project exceeds €470 million (MAD 4.7 billion/$470 million).
The construction schedule is rigorous. It demands completion within just 30 months, targeting a late 2027 finish. This timeline is strategic as FIFA is expected to announce the final match venue in 2028, two years before the tournament.
The stadium's vast capacity is seen as crucial in Morocco's strategy to outbid European competitors. After renovations, Barcelona's Camp Nou is projected to seat around 105,000 fans. Madrid's renovated Santiago Bernabeu aims for approximately 85,000 spectators.
Several major Spanish construction firms are reportedly consulting with law firms experienced in Moroccan public procurement. These companies are seeking both legal guidance and cost-benefit analysis of the massive infrastructure project.
The Hassan II Stadium project represents one of several large-scale infrastructure developments linked to the 2030 World Cup. This prestigious sporting event is driving transformation in Morocco's engineering, transportation, and territorial management priorities.
Despite the competition between Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu and Casablanca's Hassan II Stadium to host the World Cup final, Pérez's company appears interested in the lucrative construction opportunity. The project's scale and international significance make it particularly attractive in the infrastructure sector.
Read also: Morocco's Hassan II Stadium Design Reimagines Traditional Architecture Tags: Casablanca's Grand StadiumFlorentino PerezHassan II Stadium
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
10 hours ago
- Morocco World
Badou Zaki Defends Hakimi's Ballon d'Or Case: ‘He Stands Above the Rest'
Rabat – As football's most prestigious individual award draws closer, the names of usual suspects begin to fill headlines — attacking giants, prolific scorers, flashy midfield maestros. But away from the spotlight reserved for goal tallies and commercial hype, a quieter yet compelling case unfolds. It is the story of Achraf Hakimi, Morocco's Atlas Lion and Paris Saint-Germain's tireless right-back, whose season demands more than polite applause. This story calls for serious Ballon d'Or consideration. To some, suggesting a defender, especially a right-back, for the Ballon d'Or might seem far-fetched. Yet, when stripped of biases and marketing noise, the award's criteria are clear: individual brilliance, collective achievement, and visible influence on the field. Hakimi checks every box. Former Moroccan goalkeeper Badou Zaki, a legend in his own right, sees no exaggeration in calling for Hakimi's inclusion. 'The Ballon d'Or must go to the player who outshines the rest,' Zaki said. 'We talk about team trophies, personal contributions, and the values a player brings to the game. Hakimi belongs in that conversation.' This season, PSG finally broke its Champions League curse. Hakimi played a central role in that success, not as a supporting figure but as one of the team's anchors. He lifted four trophies with the French club, including the elusive Champions League title, a feat many consider the ultimate test of greatness. But team silverware is only part of the picture. On an individual level, Hakimi offered performances that no fullback has matched in years. He scored four goals and provided five assists in the Champions League alone. These numbers would impress even an attacking midfielder. From his position at the back, they astonish. Hakimi also redefined what it means to play as a right-back. He darted up and down the flank, switched roles fluidly, and often dictated the rhythm of matches. It's no longer enough to say he's one of the best in his position. He now stands as a full-fledged footballer. Still, his name rarely surfaces in Ballon d'Or predictions. Instead, the conversation sometimes shifts to rising stars like Lamine Yamal. 'Frankly, I'm surprised,' Zaki said, 'when someone like Lamine Yamal is mentioned as a contender, even though he hasn't done half of what Hakimi achieved, and I say this with great respect for Yamal's talent and potential. But if we're being fair with the criteria, I don't see how he ranks above Hakimi.' 'To me, the real competition should be between Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi. And there's an important detail, Dembélé is in the conversation because he scored eight goals in the Champions League, which is his job as a forward. Meanwhile, Hakimi scored four as a defender, whose primary role is not to find the net,' Zaki added. Recognition for African players has always been limited. Only one African, George Weah, has ever lifted the Ballon d'Or. That was nearly 30 years ago. If the football world takes its own rules seriously, Hakimi has done more than enough to change that. He didn't just have a good season; he led, delivered, and transformed expectations. Tags: Achraf HakimiAtlas LionsBadou ZakiHakimiMorocco football
Morocco World
10 hours ago
- Morocco World
France Secure Nations League Bronze as Mbappe Hits 50
Kylian Mbappe scored his 50th goal for France as Les Bleus sealed third place in the UEFA Nations League with a 2-0 win over Germany in Stuttgart. The French captain broke the deadlock just before half-time, latching onto a clever pass from Aurelien Tchouameni before calmly slotting past Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Germany pushed for a response after the break but were denied by both the woodwork and a series of VAR interventions. Karim Adeyemi thought he had won a penalty, only for the decision to be overturned with the forward booked for simulation. Moments later, Deniz Undav had an equaliser chalked off due to a foul by Niclas Fullkrug in the build-up. France rode their luck at times. Florian Wirtz struck the post and Mike Maignan made a string of saves, including three from Adeyemi. But the hosts were punished late on when Mbappe pounced on a loose ball, surged forward and squared for Michael Olise to tap home the second with six minutes remaining. Marcus Thuram also hit the post as France threatened a third, and Mbappe himself came close on multiple occasions. It was a strong response from Didier Deschamps' side after their dramatic semi-final loss to Spain, while Germany's winless run stretches to three matches. Julian Nagelsmann's side now look ahead to regrouping before the next round of World Cup qualifiers. Later today at 8 p.m., Spain and Portugal go head-to-head in Munich to decide the winner of this year's Nations League. Tags: FranceGermanyKylian MbappeUEFA Nations League
Ya Biladi
11 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan Polo team triumphs over US in Newport International Series Opener
The Moroccan national polo team achieved a remarkable victory over its American counterpart, winning 14–6 in a match held on June 7, 2025, at the prestigious Newport Polo Club in the United States. This win marks a strong start to the Newport International Polo Series, an international tournament running until September 27, 2025, featuring top global teams including England, Italy, Scotland, and Australia. The opening match was attended by Morocco's Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, who praised the Moroccan team's outstanding performance during a ceremony held in his honor in the state of Rhode Island. Proud to witness Morocco's national polo team secure a resounding 14–6 victory over the U.S. at the opening of the prestigious Newport International Polo Series in #RhodeIsland. A second consecutive win, during which I was honored to highlight how this achievement reflects His… — Youssef Amrani (@youamrani) June 8, 2025 At the end of the match, Ambassador Amrani emphasized the significance of the national team's participation in this international sporting event, highlighting its key role in promoting polo in the Kingdom. He also underscored the importance of sports in fostering mutual understanding and cultural connection between nations. This victory marks Morocco's second consecutive win over the U.S. team, following their recent triumph in the Mohammed VI International Polo Cup three weeks earlier. Morocco's participation in the Newport tournament also celebrates 250 years of friendship and cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States.
