The first edition of the WFS in Morocco demonstrates its growing importance in global football and the close strategic alliance with Spain in the run-up to the World Cup

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Rabat closes the World Football Summit 2025 with Morocco and Spain competing for the 2030 World Cup final

The first edition of the World Football Summit Rabat 2025 came to a successful conclusion after two intense days of panels, debates and collaborations that put Morocco's role as an emerging football powerhouse and its key partnership with Spain in the run-up to the 2030 World Cup in the international spotlight.

One of the highlights was the intervention of Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation, who expressed his wish for the 2030 World Cup final to be played between Morocco and Spain on Moroccan soil. The proposal was warmly welcomed by the Spanish ambassador Enrique Ojeda Vila, who defended the Santiago Bernabeu or the Camp Nou as natural venues to host the most important match of the tournament.

The future Stade Hassan II, a symbol of global ambition

The event also served to officially present the Stade Hassan II project, which aspires to become the largest football stadium in the world, with a capacity of 115,000 spectators. François Clément, president of the firm Populous, stressed that it will be a modern and emblematic infrastructure, capable of competing with the great temples of world football and positioning Morocco as a top-level host.

World Cup 2030: cooperation and healthy competition

Jan Alessie, CEO and co-founder of the World Football Summit, underlined that the collaboration between Spain and Morocco represents a historic opportunity in both sporting and economic terms. ‘The estimated impact for the Spanish GDP could exceed 5 billion euros, with the creation of more than 80,000 jobs,’ he explained, emphasising that key matches such as the final have a determining role in that outcome.

Institutional dialogue between the two countries was one of the focal points of WFS Rabat 2025, with sessions focusing on sports infrastructure, cross-border logistics and joint promotion, all focused on achieving an exceptional World Cup.

Women's football, African talent and legendary figures

The Spanish presence was key during the meeting, with representatives from LALIGA, FC Barcelona, Sevilla FC and Villarreal CF, as well as coach Jorge Vilda, who is now in charge of the Moroccan women's national team. Vilda put the spotlight on the potential of African women's football, highlighting the emerging talent and the influence of Spanish methodologies in its development.

The event also featured legends such as Frédéric Kanouté, Walid Regragui and Geremi, who shared their experiences and provided a bi-national vision that reflects the strong footballing ties between Spain and Morocco.

Madrid, next stop to further strengthen synergies

The event concluded with a message of optimism from the organisers: Madrid will be the next venue for the World Football Summit, where it is hoped to further deepen Spanish-Moroccan synergies and pave the way towards a 2030 World Cup that is already beginning to take shape.