The American architectural firm Populous, tasked with designing the Grand Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca, has announced that the new venue will boast a capacity of 115,000 spectators, making it the largest stadium in the world and surpassing North Korea's Rungrado First of May Stadium. The firm's executives have confirmed that this stadium will be suitable for hosting the finals of the 2030 World Cup, an event Morocco is organizing jointly with Spain and Portugal.

The introduction of this massive stadium has reignited discussions regarding the possible location for the 2030 World Cup final; the choices being between the Grand Hassan II Stadium in Morocco and the Santiago Bernabéu in Spain.

In a detailed statement, Populous, which secured the contract in a consortium with the Franco-Moroccan Oulalous + Choi (O+C), affirmed that the stadium will meet all FIFA standards and will be the largest globally. Newly released images by the company showcase a design inspired by the shape of a Moroccan tent, often seen in traditional Moroccan "musem" festivals, and the venue will be nestled within a lush wooded area.

"The Grand Stade Hassan II draws deeply from Moroccan culture, intertwining traditional and modern elements. It incorporates inspiration from pivotal cultural symbols such as the musem, the tent, and the garden, along with Moroccan typography and landscapes," explained Tarik Oualalou, the project's lead design architect, as mentioned in the press release.

Further information provided by the firm highlights the stadium's architectural plans, which include three steep and compact stands at both ends, each housing 29,500 spectators. Additionally, there will be five levels of hospitality on each of the main grandstands flanking the pitch, accommodating 12,000 spectators in various premium sections including VVIP, hospitality suites, boxes, and the royal box. The venue will also feature an aluminum roof.

Populous notes that financing for the project was approved in October 2023, with preparation for construction commencement already in progress. The stadium is slated for construction on a 100-hectare site in the town of Mansouria, located in the province of Benslimane, approximately 38 kilometers north of Casablanca, Morocco's economic hub.