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Royal Decree Ends ‘World Cup Government' Race as New Foundation Takes Charge
Marrakech – A royal decree (dahir) has officially put an end to the political battle over who will lead Morocco's government during the 2030 World Cup.
The announcement came after King Mohammed VI issued Decree No. 1.25.54, published in Official Gazette No. 7428 on August 7, which implements Law No. 35.25 establishing the 'Morocco 2030 Foundation' and granting its presidency to Fouzi Lekjaa, the budget minister and president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
Political parties from both the majority and opposition have lost their contest to lead what had been dubbed the 'World Cup government,' regardless of who might win the 2026 legislative elections.
The decree effectively ends the verbal sparring between party leaders and ministers who had expressed ambitions to top the election results with the goal of leading the World Cup government.
According to the official text, the Morocco 2030 Foundation will cooperate with relevant administrations and bodies to prepare, organize, and enhance all international football events granted to Morocco by FIFA or the Confederation of African Football (CAF), up until the 2030 World Cup.
The foundation is described as 'a public benefit institution, not aimed at making profit, with legal personality and financial independence,' according to the law.
It is tasked with 'taking necessary measures to prepare and organize the aforementioned events, monitoring the implementation of related commitments, while providing support and accompaniment to the concerned regions and cities.'
The executive council of the foundation will include, in addition to its president, representatives from the government authorities responsible for interior affairs, foreign affairs, budget, public enterprises, and territorial councils, or any other institution the council wishes to include.
Among the executive council's powers will be evaluating the progress of projects related to international event preparations based on received reports and suggesting necessary measures when required. It will also monitor the implementation of state commitments linked to organizing these international events.
The law stipulates that the executive council will determine the foundation's general activity guidelines, specifically 'planning necessary measures to prepare and organize international football events in Morocco, particularly the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and any major sporting event organized under FIFA or CAF supervision.'
The legislation also establishes an advisory council serving as a space for dialogue and reflection. This council aims to mobilize all the country's vital forces through a participatory and inclusive approach to help create suitable conditions for successfully organizing these international football events.
It will be chaired by the foundation's president and include representatives from the private sector, civil society, Moroccans living abroad, Moroccan football representatives, and African experts.
A territorial management committee, chaired by the Minister of Interior, will be responsible for monitoring and coordinating the implementation of regional state commitments.
This step shields projects from political and electoral exploitation
Lekjaa, who serves as both budget minister and president of the Morocco 2030 Foundation, has previously advocated for the benefits Morocco will gain from hosting the 2025 AFCON and the 2030 World Cup.
These include advanced infrastructure and development projects that will benefit all Moroccan citizens. He has responded to public demands that development not be limited to cities hosting the two historic sporting spectacles, affirming that benefits will extend to other cities as well.
During a previous ministerial conference hosted by the National School of Administration (ENSA) in Rabat, the foundation's president explained that these projects are based on a coherent approach among all stakeholders for integrated development in sports, economic, and territorial domains.
The investments in relevant sectors amount to approximately MAD 150 billion ($15 billion), covering major projects.
Regarding transportation project financing, Lekjaa confirmed a partnership between public and private sectors, with annual state support of MAD 1.6 billion ($160 million) until 2030.
This will ensure the development of high-speed trains and regional lines connecting Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier, as well as the southern provinces, to strengthen territorial and economic integration.
Concerning financial arrangements, the Morocco 2030 Foundation president stated that they were designed not to burden the general budget, through an innovative concept based on partnership with the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG) and the National Company for Construction and Management of Sports Facilities (SONARGES), allowing cost recovery over twenty years.
Both the majority and opposition parliamentary groups announced their full support for Lekjaa's presidency of the Morocco 2030 Foundation just days before the end of the spring session.
They pointed out that this step distances ongoing projects from political and electoral exploitation, rising above narrow calculations and the rhetoric about who will lead the 'World Cup government,' warning against turning this description into what local media have portrayed as an 'electoral apocalypse.'
With the countdown to Morocco's hosting of major international football events now officially underway, the establishment of this foundation marks a significant shift in how preparations will be managed, placing them under specialized institutional oversight rather than within the regular political contest.
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