With nearly six years remaining until the 2030 FIFA World Cup final, the proposed stadium design for the highly anticipated event has been revealed. The Grand Stade Hassan II in Morocco, which is set to host the match alongside Spain and Portugal, is being hailed as a potential contender for the title of the world’s largest football stadium. Designed by Oualolou + Choi and Populous, it is projected to accommodate 115,000 spectators.
Situated on a 100-hectare (approximately 247 acres) site in El Mansouria, a town north of Casablanca, the stadium’s design takes inspiration from the traditional “moussem,” or communal tent, as explained by the design team. The structure will feature an aluminum lattice that will cover not only the seating area but also external tiered gardens and a botanical garden on the ground floor.
Tarik Oualalou, design principal at Oualalou + Choi, emphasized that the design integrates Moroccan cultural elements, merging traditional motifs with contemporary aesthetics. The seating arrangement is optimized for World Cup events, with separate zones for general admission at either end, accommodating about 30,000 fans each, and a central area designated for VIPs and hospitality.
Christopher Lee of Populous highlighted the stadium’s potential to become an iconic landmark for Morocco and football worldwide. In comparison, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India, currently holds the record for the largest stadium by capacity at 132,000, while the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, claims to have a capacity of 150,000, though recent estimates suggest it seats around 114,000.
The Grand Stade Hassan II will feature 1,000 more seats than its closest rival, a detail that may not be coincidental. Populous, known for designing large-scale sports venues such as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Emirates Stadium, is overseeing the project.
Following Morocco’s successful bid to co-host the 2030 World Cup, the stadium’s design is set to meet FIFA’s standards and has a strong chance of hosting the final, though the final decision is pending. Construction preparations are already underway, with the grand vision expected to materialize in the coming years.