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The monarch’s initiatives don't just stop at these countries; similar outreach is being planned towards Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
Morocco is leaving no stone unturned to rally support for its joint bid with Spain and Portugal for the hosting rights of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The North African nation is reportedly reaching out to Gulf countries to bolster its chances of playing host to this global footballing event.
Reports indicate that King Mohammed VI has been actively penning messages to leaders across the Gulf region, specifically seeking support for the World Cup bid from heavyweights like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
The monarch’s initiatives don't just stop at these countries; similar outreach is being planned towards Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
The core intention? Garnering political, financial, and logistical backing for its ambitious bid for 2030.
These claims were further cemented by foreign policy analyst Samir Bennis.
“Morocco is also seeking to encourage countries to invest more and support Moroccan [infrastructure] projects that Morocco intends to launch in preparation for the 2030 World Cup," Bennis said.
His emphasis on the immense “sovereign funds exceedings hundred of billion of dollars” in the Gulf region highlights the potential magnitude of financial backing Morocco is seeking.
In a strategic move to clinch votes, Morocco isn't limiting its canvas to the Gulf. Bennis further pointed out that the nation aims to woo both Gulf and Asian countries to support its World Cup vision.
Morocco's diplomatic wheels are already in motion. The country's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, reportedly hand-delivered King Mohammed VI's written messages to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
While these communications reiterated Morocco’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and discussing regional matters, intriguingly, Morocco’s official news outlets didn't explicitly mention any solicit for World Cup bid support.
Morocco formally announced its intention to co-bid for the 2030 World Cup on March 14. Fellow bidders, Spain and Portugal, echoed this sentiment, championing the move as a "positive message to the world."
However, the World Cup bid story has its share of twists. While Saudi Arabia was initially in the race to host the 2030 World Cup, it, alongside Greece and Egypt, announced a surprising withdrawal.
Reports from the Greek City Times attributed Saudi's pull-out to the economic challenges faced by Greece and Egypt, despite Saudi’s initial commitment to fund infrastructural developments in these countries.
In a poignant address on July 29, King Mohammed VI emphasized the historic significance of this tri-nation bid.
He articulated a vision where Morocco, Portugal, and Spain act as bridges, uniting “the two shores of the Mediterranean.”
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