Latest news with #AntonioNavarroAmuedo
Maroc
3 days ago
- Business
- Maroc
2030 World Cup to 'Propel' Morocco's Economic Growth - Spanish Think-Tank
The joint hosting of the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal will "propel" Morocco's economic growth and enshrine its diplomatic positioning, Spanish think-tank Real Instituto Elcano stresses. In an analysis named "World Cup 2030: Grand entrance of Moroccan soft power", Antonio Navarro Amuedo, specialist in the Maghreb and the Middle East and a member of the think-tank, writes that the objective is clearly "to strengthen Morocco's international influence, by showcasing the image of a modern, tolerant and emerging country". On the economic front, the author stresses that hosting the World Cup will stimulate the Kingdom's economic growth, through a vast program to modernize road, airport, rail and urban infrastructure. Aware of the positive spin-offs that the World Cup could have on the country's development, Morocco has been fully committed to preparing for this global sporting event ever since the Kingdom presented a joint bid with Spain and Portugal, he recalls, noting that the Grand Stade of Casablanca embodies this "new brand of Morocco, an ambitious, forward-looking country". According to the Real Instituto Elcano, sport, part of this soft power strategy, can be used as a vector of attraction and influence to make the 2030 World Cup the symbol of an emerging Morocco, just as the Barcelona Olympics were for Spain in 1992. Highlighting the 'successes achieved' by Moroccan diplomacy in recent years, the prestigious think tank states that co-hosting the 2030 World Cup is 'the culmination of a renewed Moroccan foreign policy, marked by the diversification of alliances beyond the traditional European and American partners'. This strategic repositioning is accompanied by Morocco's assertive return to the African stage, driven by two major priorities: the preservation of its territorial integrity and the quest for greater autonomy in the economic, security and defense fields, the think-tank adds. MAP: 27 mai 2025
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Spanish Royal Institute: 2030 World Cup Amplifies Morocco's Soft Power Strategy
Doha – Morocco's co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup represents the culmination of decades of persistent effort as the North African country will share hosting duties with Spain and Portugal. This achievement comes after five previous unsuccessful bids over 30 years. The Spanish Elcano Royal Institute for International and Strategic Studies published an analysis on May 26, examining Morocco's strategic approach to what will be one of the world's most-watched sporting events. Antonio Navarro Amuedo, author of the report titled 'World Cup 2030: The Deployment of Moroccan Soft Power on the Field,' dissects how Morocco views the tournament as a strategic soft power opportunity that serves multiple objectives beyond sports. It aims to enhance Morocco's international image, strengthen economic development through infrastructure projects, and 'reinforce the monarchy's political stature'—although the reality is that it is already anchored in centuries-old legitimacy since the founding of the Alaouite dynasty. The report positions the World Cup within Morocco's broader foreign policy strategy, which includes diversifying international alliances and reaffirming its sovereignty over the southern provinces in the Western Sahara. By 2024, Morocco's direct investment in Africa reached a notable $38 billion, in a clear indication of the country's expanding economic footprint and growing influence across the continent. The Maghreb country has maintained its traditional Western orientation while building new relationships with countries like Russia, Turkey, and China, adapting to an increasingly multipolar world order. Its renewed focus on African engagement—marked by its return to the African Union in 2017 after a 32-year absence—has brought substantial diplomatic leverage in confronting Algeria, which backs the separatist Polisario Front in the artificial dispute over the Western Sahara. A long-term vision bears fruit The Spanish Royal Institute's analysis pinpoints Morocco's persistent pursuit of hosting rights through bids for the 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010, and 2026 tournaments, persistence that has finally paid off. The 2030 tournament carries special significance as the World Cup's centennial celebration and represents a source of national pride for Moroccans. Navarro Amuedo notes widespread public enthusiasm for the tournament within Morocco, which contrasts with the 'more discrete reception' in co-hosts Spain and Portugal. The tournament will mark several historic firsts as it will be the first transcontinental World Cup spanning Europe and Africa, delivering 'a powerful message of cooperation between the two shores of a Mediterranean transformed in recent years into the world's deadliest migration route,' the report states. Morocco's successful national team performance at Qatar 2022, reaching the semifinals as the first African or Arab team to achieve this feat, significantly elevated national pride. The North African country now aims to translate sporting success into organizational excellence, with authorities recognizing that successfully hosting the tournament can project an image of a 'modern, tolerant and emerging country' to a global audience. Ambitious infrastructure development underway Six Moroccan cities—Tangier, Rabat, Fez, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Agadir—will host World Cup matches. The government has allocated $5.1 billion for World Cup preparations, of which $1.2 billion is earmarked specifically for infrastructure investments. The crown jewel of Morocco's World Cup preparations is the planned Hassan II Grand Stadium in Casablanca, which aims to become the world's largest stadium with a capacity of 115,000 spectators. Moroccan authorities hope this impressive venue will host the tournament's final match, which would be the culmination of their World Cup ambitions. The report details Morocco's comprehensive infrastructure program that extends beyond stadiums to include major upgrades for airports in Casablanca, Agadir, Fez, Marrakech, and Tangier. These improvements target a combined capacity of 35 million passengers by 2029, with the government committing over $2.6 billion to these airport expansions while also planning important investments in road networks and urban infrastructure. Navarro Amuedo acknowledges potential domestic challenges associated with these investments. The concentration of development in urban areas, particularly along the privileged Tangier-Rabat-Casablanca-Marrakech axis, could exacerbate regional disparities and fuel social tensions. Additionally, the report cautions about possible corruption risks associated with major construction projects in a country that 'still registers high levels of opacity,' though it stops short of questioning the broader institutional trajectory or recent reforms undertaken by Morocco. Strengthening international relations The joint World Cup bid reinforces Morocco's improving relationships with its Iberian neighbors, particularly Spain, with whom relations have strengthened significantly since 2022, when Spain endorsed Morocco's Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara. This endorsement marked the resolution of a year-long bilateral crisis and the beginning of what both governments describe as an 'extraordinary' new phase in relations. Commercial ties between Spain and Morocco reached record levels in 2024, with Spain upholding its position as Morocco's top trading partner since 2013. Cooperation on sensitive issues such as migration control and counter-terrorism has intensified, resulting in reduced irregular migration to Spain and successful joint operations against terrorist cells planning attacks in both countries. The Spanish Royal Institute analysis frames the 2030 World Cup as Morocco's international coming-of-age moment, comparing its potential impact to Spain's transformative year of 1992, when Barcelona hosted the Olympics and Seville held the World Expo. 'The success in preparing and holding the championship is a collective aspiration shared by Moroccan authorities and society,' writes Navarro Amuedo. The report concludes that the tournament will showcase 'emerging Morocco of the 21st century' while advancing the country's broader diplomatic objectives, particularly in garnering international support for its position on Western Sahara. For Morocco, the ultimate goal is to capitalize on the global appeal of the most prestigious sporting event to solidify its status as a stable, capable regional power bridging Europe and Africa.
