If you’ve spent any time looking at the blueprints for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, you’ve probably noticed something a bit wild. Usually, when we talk about massive football cathedrals, our minds jump straight to the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid or the Camp Nou in Barcelona. And sure, those places are legendary. They're getting massive facelifts. But they aren't actually going to be the biggest stadium for the World Cup in 2030.
That honor belongs to a place that doesn't even fully exist yet.
It’s called the Hassan II Stadium. It is being built right now in Benslimane, which is about 40 kilometers north of Casablanca, Morocco. This isn’t just some local project to spruce up the neighborhood. This is a 115,000-seat monster. Honestly, the scale of it is hard to wrap your head around until you see the numbers compared to the "big boys" of Europe. To put that in perspective, the iconic Santiago Bernabéu holds around 85,000. Even the massive "new" Camp Nou is looking at roughly 105,000.
Morocco is basically building a venue that could fit the entire population of a medium-sized city inside its walls.
The Grand Stade Hassan II: What makes it so big?
Why 115,000? It feels like a statement. For decades, Morocco tried to host the World Cup. They bid in 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010, and 2026. They kept getting "close but no cigar." Now that they finally have the 2030 tournament—sharing it with Spain and Portugal—they aren't just participating. They want to own the spotlight.
The design is handled by Oualalou + Choi and Populous. If you don't know Populous, they’re the ones behind the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Sphere in Las Vegas. They know how to do "spectacle."
A roof inspired by a tent
The most striking thing about the biggest stadium for the World Cup in 2030 is the roof. It’s inspired by a Moroccan "moussem"—a traditional social gathering. Basically, the whole stadium is designed to look like a giant, translucent tent emerging from the forested landscape of El Mansouria.
- Capacity: 115,000 seats.
- Location: Benslimane Province, near Casablanca.
- Structure: Three steep tiers at each end of the bowl for maximum noise.
- Luxury: Over 12,000 VVIP, VIP, and hospitality seats.
It’s not just a big bowl of concrete. The architects have included 32 grand stairways and botanical gardens that sit 28 meters above the ground. You’re basically walking through a park to get to your seat. It’s a far cry from the cramped concourses you’ll find in some of the older European grounds.
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Why size matters for the 2030 Final
There is a huge "stadium war" going on behind the scenes between Morocco and Spain. Both countries want the Final. FIFA usually requires a minimum of 80,000 seats for a World Cup Final. Spain has the history. They have the Bernabéu. But Morocco now has the numbers.
Spain’s media, specifically outlets like Marca, have reported that FIFA still favors Madrid for the final game. But you can't ignore a 115,000-seat arena. The sheer revenue from ticket sales alone makes the Hassan II Stadium a terrifyingly strong candidate. Morocco’s Football Federation President, Fouzi Lekjaa, hasn't been shy about it either. He wants that final in Casablanca.
Comparing the heavy hitters
If we look at the other main contenders for the biggest stadium for the World Cup in 2030, the list is actually quite short:
- Hassan II Stadium (Casablanca): 115,000 seats.
- Spotify Camp Nou (Barcelona): ~105,000 seats.
- Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid): ~85,000 seats.
- Estádio da Luz (Lisbon): ~65,000 seats.
Portugal is basically out of the running for the final because their biggest stadium doesn't hit that 80k threshold. So, it's a two-horse race. Morocco is betting $500 million (the estimated cost of the stadium) that size will win out over tradition.
The infrastructure headache
Building the world's largest football stadium in the middle of a forest sounds cool, but it’s a logistical nightmare. Benslimane isn't exactly downtown Casablanca. The Moroccan government is currently pouring billions of dirhams into high-speed rail links and highway expansions.
They need to move 115,000 people in and out of a single point in the span of a few hours. If you've ever tried to leave a stadium with 50,000 people, you know how bad that can be. Double that, and you've got a recipe for a standstill.
But Morocco has been practicing. They’ve hosted the Club World Cup and are prepping for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. They’re treating 2030 as their "coming out" party on the global stage.
Is it too big?
Some people think so. There’s always the "white elephant" fear. What happens after 2030?
The plan is for two of Morocco’s biggest clubs—Raja CA and Wydad AC—to move in. These are teams with massive, fanatical fanbases. They regularly pull 40,000 to 50,000 people for big matches. Will they fill 115,000? Probably not every week. But for the "Casablanca Derby," they might actually come close.
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It’s a gamble. Most modern stadiums are actually getting smaller and focusing more on luxury boxes than raw seat counts. Morocco is going the opposite way. They’re building a monument.
What you need to know if you're going
If you're planning to visit the biggest stadium for the World Cup in 2030, keep a few things in mind. The weather in that part of Morocco in June/July is hot, but the "tent" design is supposedly built for natural ventilation.
- Book your stay in Casablanca or Rabat. The stadium is roughly halfway between them.
- Use the Al Boraq (High-Speed Train). It’s one of the best in Africa and will be the main artery for fans.
- Expect security to be tight. Morocco takes its hosting duties seriously, especially with the world watching.
The 2030 World Cup is going to be weird anyway—starting in South America for three games and then moving to Europe and Africa. But amidst all that travel, the Hassan II Stadium will likely be the visual anchor of the whole tournament.
Whether it gets the Final or not, it has already succeeded in making people stop talking about Spain for five minutes and look toward North Africa. That, in itself, is a win for Morocco.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Follow construction updates: The stadium is set for completion in late 2028. Monitor official FIFA or FRMF (Royal Moroccan Football Federation) announcements for venue tours.
- Check the 2025 AFCON schedule: Morocco will use several of its 2030 venues for the Africa Cup of Nations, which is a perfect "test run" for fans to see the infrastructure in action before the World Cup.
- Monitor the Final selection: FIFA is expected to finalize the match schedule and venue for the Final by 2026. Keep an eye on this if you are planning your trip specifically around the championship game.