Focus on the organisation of the 2030 World Cup
Abdellatif Ouahbi, Morocco’s Minister of Justice, welcomed his Spanish and Portuguese counterparts, Félix Bolaños and Rita Alarcão Júdice, to Rabat to strengthen cooperation ahead of the organisation of the 2030 World Cup.
The Iberian-Moroccan organising committee continues to make progress in its preparations for the world’s biggest international football tournament and, on this occasion, the focus was on the legal framework that needs to be established for this major sporting event, which will attract global attention.
Abdellatif Ouahbi met with Félix Bolaños and Rita Alarcão Júdice primarily to develop judicial cooperation between the North African country and Spain and Portugal in preparation for the major sporting event.
Accordingly, the three ministers signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding in Rabat to streamline judicial procedures during the 2030 World Cup, which will be jointly organised by Spain, Morocco and Portugal.
During these high-level meetings, the status of joint projects in the judicial sphere was reviewed, with particular focus on civil and criminal cooperation, the handling of cases with cross-border elements, and administrative modernisation processes.
The Moroccan Minister of Justice highlighted the importance of working thoroughly on modernising the judicial system through digitalisation, the simplification of procedures, and the strengthening of international cooperation mechanisms.
Abdellatif Ouahbi emphasised the importance of legal certainty as a central element in strengthening institutional trust and ensuring the effective protection of rights and freedoms.
For her part, the Portuguese Minister of Justice highlighted the quality of the bilateral relationship, describing it as a “solid and exemplary” partnership, underpinned by mutual trust and the continuous exchange of experiences. She also reaffirmed Portugal’s commitment to maintaining this dynamic through training, technical exchange and cooperation between legal professionals.
Following the meeting, Félix Bolaños expressed his satisfaction with the level of cooperation established with the North African country, highlighting the deep-rooted relations with Spain, which are currently experiencing “one of their finest moments” across all areas, particularly since the significant support Spain gave to Morocco regarding Morocco’s Sovereignty Plan for Western Sahara, considered of great importance to the North African nation as it relates to the defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, given that it regards the Sahrawi territory as part of its so-called southern provinces.
A view of the World Cup trophy – REUTERS/HANNAH McKAY
Focus on the organisation of the 2030 World Cup
The talks between Abdellatif Ouahbi, Rita Alarcão Júdice and Félix Bolaños were very productive and addressed mechanisms for mutual legal assistance, institutional coordination and the handling of civil and criminal matters at the international level. However, the focus was primarily on the organisation of the 2030 World Cup.
Following these initial contacts, Abdellatif Ouahbi announced the preparation of a tripartite meeting between Morocco, Spain and Portugal with a view to signing a specific agreement regulating judicial cooperation between the three co-hosting countries of the 2030 World Cup.
This future agreement aims to establish a common basis for coordination in key areas such as the movement of fans, criminal assistance in cross-border situations, the resolution of disputes relating to contracts and infrastructure, and the management of potential incidents during the competition. In other words, judicial cooperation and, above all, the definition of the legal framework to be adhered to in various circumstances that may arise in connection with the organisation and staging of the 2030 World Cup.
Abdellatif Ouahbi identified the key objective as ensuring the smooth and secure organisation of the World Cup, which will require significant legal cooperation between the three organising countries.
Félix Bolaños also highlighted the great significance of an ‘exceptional’ sporting event such as the World Cup, which requires cooperation at the highest level between all parties, bearing in mind that this sporting event is of great global importance and also represents an occasion that transcends sport and reflects values of coexistence, cultural diversity and openness between peoples.
Moroccan fans – REUTERS/ PABLO SANHUEZA
The Spanish Minister of the Presidency, Justice and Relations with the Courts emphasised: “This will be the first World Cup organised across two continents by three different countries, which have different cultures, traditions, religions and histories, but which are nevertheless capable of working together, prioritising friendship and fraternal relations between Portugal, Morocco and Spain. That is why this is going to be a great World Cup, because we are, of course, committed to ensuring it runs like clockwork; a World Cup that serves as an example to the world of how three different countries can organise such an event, a World Cup that is flawless, that is perfect”.
“We are sending a message to the world that is highly relevant at this moment, particularly given the situation we are experiencing in the Middle East. Today we are telling the world that neighbours can respect one another, that they can cooperate, that they can work together, that peace, diplomacy, dialogue, agreements, international law and human rights values must always take precedence, and that this is the path and direction of the world we want,” said Félix Bolaños.
After the announcement of the tripartite framework, both meetings concluded with concrete commitments to strengthen existing channels of cooperation. These include the intensification of institutional exchanges, coordination between judicial authorities and the strengthening of direct communication mechanisms.
These measures aim to consolidate a more agile and effective framework for cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean, in a context where preparations for the 2030 World Cup are acting as a catalyst for legal convergence between Morocco, Spain and Portugal.