The United Kingdom is seeking to play a role in Morocco’s preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with a delegation of more than 50 British companies and over 100 business representatives visiting the country this week.
UK Minister of State for Trade Policy Chris Bryant said Tuesday that Britain is exploring ways to support Morocco in delivering the tournament, particularly in areas beyond stadium construction.
“We are looking at ways in which we can help deliver the World Cup with you,” Bryant said during the UK–Morocco Business Forum, held in Rabat and Casablanca on June 2 and 3.
He emphasized that hosting a successful World Cup requires strong logistics and infrastructure, including transport systems such as buses and trains, as well as broader support services.
The forum brought together UK government officials, business leaders and investors with Moroccan counterparts to strengthen bilateral cooperation and explore new commercial partnerships ahead of the 2030 tournament.
Bryant highlighted the United Kingdom’s experience in hosting major international events, including the London 2012 Olympics, and its involvement in preparations for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
He described Morocco as having a “California-style moment of opportunity,” citing its strategic position as a gateway between Europe and Africa.
Bryant said major sporting events can serve as national milestones that extend beyond sport, creating cultural impact and leaving long-term economic and social legacies.
He added that the British delegation includes experts in areas such as fan zones, security, ticketing and legacy planning.
The minister also said the United Kingdom aims to further expand trade with Morocco, noting that bilateral trade has grown from £2.7 billion in 2021 to £4.5 billion in recent years.
Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, said relations between the two countries have made significant progress and stressed a shared ambition to strengthen trade, boost investment and promote new technologies.
He said Morocco offers strong potential, supported by a young and skilled workforce, and noted that British companies are well positioned to benefit from the country’s ongoing economic transformation.
Mezzour called for a more balanced partnership, emphasizing the goal of further increasing trade and expanding cooperation beyond traditional sectors such as agriculture into industry and engineering.
He said Morocco is using the 2030 World Cup as a catalyst to accelerate development, including upgrades to transport, health services and infrastructure across both host cities and other regions.
The minister added that broader reforms over the coming years aim to modernize public services and integrate Morocco more deeply into global value chains.
“We want to be part of your story, and we invite you to be part of ours,” Mezzour said.
